By Samuel Oyejola
The Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) has raised concern over the country’s corruption profile on internationalranking especially the Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) “Impact of Corruption onNigerian Economy,” and the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released earlier in the year.
The civil society group noted with concern that the slipping further down of the country on the rankings could cost taxpayers 25% of annual GDP while it could cost up to 37% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030 if it is not dealt with immediately.
This concern was contained in a release made available on Monday to our correspondent and signed by the CDD Director,Idayat Hassan in commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day.
While charging the federal government to ensure that the Malabu recovered loots are utilized for the betterment of the entire citizen, Hassan charged the government to operationalise the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
The CDD director said that the governmentshould urgently review the on-going National Social Investment Programme to identify corrupt practices the implementers of the scheme are perpetrating.
“Government should urgently review the on-going National Social Investments Programme to identify the corrupt practices the implementers of the scheme are perpetrating.” She said
While appreciating the initiative of theChief Justice of the Federation in setting up special courts to handle theprosecution of corruption cases, the CDD also urged the Judicial Service Commission to appoint Judges with integrity into the special courts for efficient and effective outcomes.
She stated further that “Nigerians want to see the positive effects of the established special courts in the areas of prosecution of high profile and politically exposed persons to serve as deterrent to others.”
Hassan challenged the National Assembly to make its budget open to the public and comply with relevant laws passed bythe institution.
“The National Assembly members should inthe spirit of transparency and accountability also make their budget open tothe public as well to comply with the laws passed by the institution such as;Freedom of Information Act 2011, Public Procurement Act 2007, Fiscal Responsibility Act etc.
“That NASS should move quickly to ensure quick passage and transmission of the pending anti-corruption bills to the President for assent.
By resolution 58/4 of October 31, 2003, the UN General Assembly designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day.
The decision is aimed to raise people’s awareness of corruption and of the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it.
