NGOs Decry Level Of Corruption In Nigeria

Two Non-governmetal Organizations (NGOs) last Monday in Benin described the impact of corruption in Nigeria, especially in the Niger-Delta ‘as devastating’.’’

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and Niger Delta Anti-corruption Network (NIDAN) made the statement at a joint news conference in Benin to mark the 2013 World Anti-Corruption Day.

The Executive Director of ANEEJ, Mr David Ugolor, who spoke on behalf of the NGOs, decried the level of corruption in the country, saying that it was  “epidemic.’’

“We remain convinced that the endemic and systemic nature that corruption has now assumed is a major driver of hunger, gross unemployment particularly of youth, crime and criminality.’’

Ugolor also attributed the “unprecedented level and dimension of insecurity in the country “to the alarming rate of corruption in the country’’.

“A nation that allocates less than 30 per cent of its budget to capital expenditure and over 70 per cent to recurrent expenditure with poor budget performance amidst rampaging corruption is incapable of laying the foundation for sustainable infrastructural development.’’

He said that any country which corruption indices as high as Nigeria’s, would always find it difficult to meet the basic needs of the citizenry and provide basic services for the people.

Ugolor said that majority of citizens in the Niger Delta and the nation at large, were still ignorant of their socio-economic rights, making it difficult to hold leaders accountable in the provision of quality services.

He, therefore, urged “all citizens to speak out publicly and join the fight against corruption in Nigeria.’’

Earlier, in a presentation, ANNEJ’s Deputy Executive Director, Mr Leo Atakpu, called for the quick passage of the Mutual Legal Assistance Bill, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency Bill and the Whistle Blower’s Bills among others still pending before the National Assembly.

In his paper entitled “Fight against corruption; An assessment of Nigeria’’, Atakpu said the government must find a way to recognise and reward service to take public away from inordinate search for wealth.