Jonathan Nwokpor
Chairmen of the 774 Local Government Councils across the nation have been cautioned to utilise funds wisely after direct payments to the councils, as they will be held responsible rather than the governors of their individual states.
A one-day validation meeting for the revised National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2022–2026 Action Plan was opened on Friday in Abuja by Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
Recall that the federal government had taken the 36 federating states to the Supreme Court for allegedly keeping, converting, and misusing cash given to the LGs because the payments were often deposited into a joint account that belonged to the states and LGs.
The Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, was directed by the Apex Court to start disburse funds accrued to them directly in its ruling, based on the federal government’s pleadings and the evidence that was attached.
The minister affirmed that the federal government was taking action to guarantee that funding will be available for grassroots development going forward and noted that handling the LGs would be relatively simple because, in contrast to governors, chairmen do not enjoy immunity.
“it is very easy to put them where they belong”, he said, “when the need arises”.
Besides, he warned, “If a governor asks you to commit a crime, he will not follow you to Kuje prison.
Consequently, Fagbemi urged the anti-corruption agencies present at the conference to take up the mantle and prosecute LG chairmen who misappropriate funds intended for their council in favour of other projects without holding back.
The minister expressed gratitude to the donor partners, International (DEA) and ROLaC, who have been a part of the process since its beginning, while also praising the efforts made by the stakeholders involved in the evaluation of the NACS Action Plan.
“Indeed your unwavering commitment, dedication and the financial support needed to midwife the successful implementation of the NACS Action Plan 2017 – 2021 and the review of the NACS Action Plan 2022- 2026 is highly appreciated.
“I therefore, request all participants to give your full attention to the overview of the draft NACS Action Plan, find the portion of the objectives and strategies relevant to your organization and resolve to fully implement the Action Plan to the best of your abilities”, he said.
Prior to the meeting, Mrs. Jane Onwumere, Head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-corruption Reforms (TUGAR), Secretariat of the Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT), called it a highly significant occasion as it aims to bring the strategy document that reduces corruption to the absolute minimum for effective and efficient service delivery to life.
According to Onwumere, Nigeria’s 2009 entry into the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) serves as a self-evaluation guide for the country’s anticorruption policy.
“Notwithstanding the challenges, some progress was recorded evidenced in the passage of critical legislation such as the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, The Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 among others.
“It is our expectation that the validation of the Action Plan and the establishment of the relevant implementation structures will ensure the full implementation of the Strategy”‘, she added.
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