Business
Group Charges Jonathan On Unresolved Corrupt Cases
A civil society group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to refer unresolved cases of corruption to the anti-graft agencies.
SERAP gave the advice in a statement issued in Lagos last Thursday, in reaction to Jonathan’s New Year day broadcast where he promised to fight corruption more in 2014.
The statement, signed by SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, said: “Promises alone can’t end corruption and the impunity of perpetrators.
It cited some of the unresolved corruption cases to include that in the aviation sector, the fuel subsidy scam and others.
The body noted that requesting the prosecution of indicted officials would send a clear signal that the government was committed to combating corruption.
“Jonathan should urgently address allegations of corruption in the privatisation of electricity, which is now denying the citizens access to regular electricity supply.
“The matter should be urgently referred to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for action.
“Taking these simple actions will immediately send a clear message that as far as the fight against corruption is concerned, it won’t be business as usual in 2014,’’ SERAP said.
It also advised the president to demonstrate his total rejection of corruption by publicly declaring his assets and instructing all members of his government to do same.
According to SERAP, the president should cut down on unnecessary expenses in the 2014 budget and dedicate the resources for the provision of drugs for hospitals across the country.
It said the president should lead the process to domesticate and effectively implement the UN Convention against corruption, within the legal system.
SERAP said: “This is the best way the president is ever going to earn the trust of millions of Nigerians yearning for good governance, development and the rule of law.”
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NAFDAC Decries Circulation Of Prohibited Food Items In markets …….Orders Vendors’ Immediate Cessation Of Dealings With Products
Importers, market traders, and supermarket operators have therefore, been directed to immediately cease all dealings in these items and to notify their supply chain partners to halt transactions involving prohibited products.
The agency emphasized that failure to comply will attract strict enforcement measures, including seizure and destruction of goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution under relevant laws.
The statement said “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the growing incidence of smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products such as pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste currently found in markets across the country.
“These products are expressly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not permitted for importation”.
NAFDAC also called on other government bodies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Shippers Council, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), to collaborate in enforcing the ban on these unsafe products.
