Over 70% Of Corruption in Nigeria Perpetrated In Public Sector-Attah

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Mohammed Bougei Attah, a civil society expert and National Coordinator, Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative, in this exclusive interview with PREMIUM NEWS, speaks on wide-ranging issues in the country.

Excerpts:

 

Nigeria’s insecurity is growing with ceaseless kidnapping, banditry, and the rise of non-state actors to fill the void created by the government’s inability to secure Nigerians effectively. What are your fears about these developments?

My fear is that we are witnessing a growing culture of banditry and kidnapping that may turn the country into a lawless state and reducing our economic base. It may also affect our international listing as the giant of Africa.

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President Muhammadu Buhari admitted recently that the closure of the nation’s land borders for over a year didn’t stop firearms proliferation in the country. What does this mean to you and how best do you think Nigeria could withdraw illegal ammunition in private arms?

What this means is that Nigeria is still living with many criminal elements that existed during the political wars where gun-running was a thing of the day. I will not suggest further legislation to curb this illegal possession of firearms but call for Presidential Order that will make offenders face serious sentence for these dastardly acts of criminality. It should be an order that gives the military access to every household in Nigeria to search for unlicensed firearms. Also, our borders need to be better manned; thank God this administration has taken the issue of arms and ammunition for our soldiers to the next level.

Nigeria is said to be one of the poverty capitals of the world, even its huge oil and gas deposit which ought to make the country prosper. What is really wrong with the country and what is the way out of this sorry state?

Without apology to any person or country, I have never shared in the belief that Nigeria is one of the capital capitals of the world. What do they mean when they say poverty capital? Those who share this concept should prove to us the yardstick applied in measuring these indices. And if your look closely at those branding Nigeria as such, it is either out of envy or for economic and political reasons. Yes, Nigeria is one of the poor nations in Africa, much as we have in other countries of the world outside Africa, but cannot be a capital country for poverty. For those that have extensive travels and know the economic structures of other nations, it is easy to know this naming is a calculated program to make countries succumb to their whims and caprices. As a fact, Nigeria is richer than many so-called advanced countries, but our challenges are leadership and management of our resources.

The illicit inflow of funds into Africa is still a big issue to the growth of Africa. How do you think this practice could be nipped in the bud?

Well, it depends on what you describe as illicit funds. I know there are lots of funds carted away from Nigeria and other African countries like DRC, Ghana, and few others into foreign countries, but that same is flowing into Africa is strange to me. Except of course you meant loans or grants through international agencies and donors, and then I can say they are not illicit but misplaced priorities. They can only be illegal when such funds are not backed up by processes and laws. And if I may add, though this is not part of your concern, many African countries have no business borrowing money. The majority of the money Africans borrowed from overseas are the same money stolen or laundered to foreign countries. Take an example of the recent Ibori Loot which the government of the United Kingdom is returning to Nigeria. Should we call these illicit funds or recovered funds? They are illicit when they steal such from Africa and taking abroad but cannot be illicit when such are coming back to us.

Transparency International recently low in the 2020 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (TI- CPI).What is the link between this rating and President Buhari’s  claimed crusade against corruption since he assumed power in 2015?

Transparency International is an international anti-corruption and advocacy group that has made its mark over the years. But as you will agree with me, things changed with time and the system has been polluted too. The Transparency International we know before is not the same as the one we know today. You have to look at the characters and the players to assume if their reports are accurate or not. As a procurement person, reviews and evaluations on corruption perception index go through very rigorous processes that it is not just enough to evaluate a country under few months and conclude they are either low or high. So it is not within my understanding to compare that rating by TI and the Buhari administration. The facts are on the ground and as civil society actors; we know far more facts than you read on the pages of papers or social media daily

What is your take on the use of plea bargaining and whistle blowing to fight corruption in the land? Have the tools worked, what are the challenges and how can they be strengthened?

Of course, plea bargain and whistle-blowing tools have worked greatly in favor of Nigeria. There are several instances involving former public officers. Lots of monies and other resources have been returned to the country under the Asset Seizure laws. Today we are aware that the office of the Attorney General of the Federation has instituted a process on how this asset will be disposed of, even though we are still contesting that process because we have extant laws on disposal which are contained in the Privatization and Enterprise Law 2000 as well as the Public Procurement Act 2007. The success recorded in the return of all the above funds is as a result of the whistleblowing regime as the application of plea bargain. The government needs to pay more attention to whistleblowers and encourage a reward system that is realistic and transparent.

What are your concerns about Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act 2007?

So many concerns and I have stated them over and over again since the year 2010 when I graduated from the school as a professional. What we have currently in Nigeria is largely the theory of procurement and not the practice of procurement. Professionals are not allowed to perform their roles due to political interest and executive interference. So many illegalities are being practiced daily under the guidance of a Bureau with a direction on how to tackle the menace. As I have stated over time, procurement alone accounts for over 70% of total corruption in the public sector. And yet, the leadership of the procurement entities is either learning on the job or mere officers transferred from one department to another without any formal education or experience in purchasing and supply management. Today in  Nigeria, everyone is a procurement expert without evidence to back it up and these are the same people been patronized by government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. My brother, there are myriad problems confronting us in the procurement practice in Nigeria. One area I have hammered on in the last ten years is the absence of a Council for public procurement as stipulated in the extant law. So what we have today is a Bureau (son) without a father (Council)

Your group, the Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative recently mounted a campaign for the constitution of the National Council in Public Procurement. What warranted this action and what is the current stage of the action to get the council constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari?

As we meet here today, and as I mentioned earlier, the situation is still the same. There have been several attempts, six in all from the 7th to 8th and 9th Assemblies to amend the Public Procurement Act through executive Bills that have failed woefully because we are watching and Nigerians are watching. Procurement corruption alone accounts for over 70% of total corruption in the public sector and to get it right, you need to get the procurement system right.  You can’t expect miracles when quacks are the managers of professional callings. The Buhari administration that we thought understands these issues failed us too. Instead of applying the law the way it was designed, they are supporting illegalities by proposing amendments to make the President Chairman of the Council. So I often ask who the President is and why is it compulsory that the President should be the chair with all his powers exercised through the Ministers and other offices.

Buhari’s UK Medical Trip Shameful-HURIWA

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has  faulted  President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical trip to the United Kingdom,saying it’s  “shameful and regrettable the decision of Buhari to continue to travel to London at serious costs to the taxpayers to take care of his personal health needs”.
The group  maintained that Buhari’s choice  to patronise foreign health service providers in total rejection and disregard for indigenous health service professionals has shown his administration is hypocritical about achieving any kinds of mileage in rebuilding the near moribund health care sector of the economy.
Its National Coordinator,  Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf,conveyed the group’s displeasure in a statement
The  constant medical tourism by the political class and especially by President Muhammadu Buhari,the group said,shows that he does not mean well for the health care system in Nigeria and also demonstrates a lack of sensitivity to the health needs of millions of Nigerians who most times die from seemingly treatable diseases due to the collapse of public health care infrastructures all across the country.
Union Investigating Saboteurs Of NPA’s E-Call System

The Maritime branch of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Governmemt Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) has commenced an underground investigations to reveal stakeholders who are bent on frustrating the call up system.
President NPA Branch of SSASCGOC, Comrade Abubakar Abdullahi,who  spoke during a capacity building programme it held for its members in Ilorin Kwara state,berated  those frustrating the introduction of the E-call up system.
He expressed  satisfaction  with the  call- up system,adding  that the innovation had been of tremendous help to port users but according to him, there are some elements trying to frustrate the success of the electronic call up system.
According to him, SSASCGOC and the sister labour bodies, the Maritime Workers’Union of Nigeria will synergize to scuttle attempt made by those who are unhappy with the call up system.
He  also promised  that the union would do all it could to support the success of the system as well as the management of NPA under the leadership of Hajia Bala Usman.
He added: “They have made a very giant stride because it is not an easy job. For over three years now, NPA have been battling with a modality to clear this menace along the road.There are many groups and security agents in the road but there are many factors that contributed to the gridlock, we are not aportioning blames to anyone but the NPA MD has come out with a very good platform.
“If you look at the E-Call up system,it is working only that the evil ones are behind trying to make sure it does not work,to frustrate the efforts of NPA management.We at NPA SSASCGOC, Maritime, we would not fold our hands, we are working with our sister unions.We are doing everything possible  to support our management and when we come out with it, everyone will know we are working’’
Comrade Abubakar noted  that the training would also enable the participants to live up to expectations in their individual lives and endeavours.
“We have kicked against stagnation of our members after a long,serious battle but the management agreed to reverse it to the day of approvals.Some were wrongly given stagnation and it is going to be withdrawn and those who are supposed to be given will be given.We are able to acquire a four flat property at Obalende and we are going to develop it into two properties, it belongs to the union.We are able to acquire this property just one and a half year into our terms in office,” he said
Business Standard, Online Newspaper Debuts

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Business Standard, an Online newspaper would be launched  tomorrow.
It can be accessed at BusinessStandardsng.com
The general interest online newspaper, published by a  team of experienced journalists provides intelligent information and insights in various areas of the economy such as  Energy, Information Technology, Aviation, Banking and finance, Maritime,  Education, health, Agriculture and Politics.
Besides,the versatile journalists said they want to meet readers with necessary and factual information in the dynamic global setting.
“Businessmen, CEOs, Chief Marketing Officers, entrepreneurs, farmers and students are yearning for information that would   lead them to make better business  decisions and improve returns for shareholders. We have come with Business Standard to fill that gap for insights and information business executives, entrepreneurs and students will trust”, Sola Bello, the Editor of the newspaper said
Olusola Bello, who had over 30 years’ experience in journalism, covering various beats including Energy for BusinessDay  and Vanguard Newspaper, said the  online paper  could not have come at a better time than now when readers are reading on their tablets and computers.
“We shall be on hand to serve our readers with intelligent reports on what is happening in the various sectors of the economy across the globe,” he promised.
Court Jails Badagry Prince For Using Forged Documents. 

Inheritance: Badagry Prince Jailed 1 Year For Using Forged Documents – Independent Newspapers NigeriaJustice Oluwatoyin Taiwo on Tuesday sentenced a Badagry Prince, Semasa James to a year in prison for using  forged documents while administrating the estate of his father, late Oba Afolabi James of Kweme land, Badagry.
 Semasa was charged alongside his personal assistant Afolabi Kazeem.
He is accused of defrauding his 26 siblings of N500million inheritance while administering the estate of the deceased king.
He faced a seven-count charge of forgery, uttering of false document and fraudulent disposal of trust property proffered against him by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force.
His personal assistant faced a charge of receiving stolen property.
Justice Taiwo in her judgment found Semasa not guilty of the charges of forgery and fraudulent disposal of trust property noting that the prosecution failed to proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Taiwo found the first defendant guilty of three-counts of uttering of a false documents and sentenced him to a year in prison on each count which is to run concurrently or an option of N450,000 fine.
She said: “Based on the oral and documentary evidence, I find that the prosecution failed prove the three-counts of stealing beyond reasonable doubt.I find the defendant guilty of uttering a false document.
“I find the first defendant not guilty of fraudulent disposal of trust property.I find the second defendant (Kazeem) not guilty of receiving stolen property as the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the said N2million was stolen and he received same knowing it was stolen.
“The first defendant is hereby sentenced to one-year imprisonment or N450,000 fine.”
In his allocutus, the defence counsel, Mr Martins Oyigbo asked the court to temper justice with mercy.
“He is a first time offender my lord and he had no intention of defrauding the family.
“My lord should please give an option of fine as the family will take the advice of the court and resolve the matter amicably,” Oyigbo said.
During the trial, the 12 witnesses testified for the prosecution while six witnesses testified for the defence.
According to the SFU prosecutor, Mr Oluwafemi Olabisi, Semasa had fraudulently converted N500 million property belonging to the late king, between 2000 and 2017 in Lagos.
The prosecution alleged that Semasa fraudulently sold a property located at Plot 1440, Ilesanmi St., Itire Road, Surulere, Lagos to a private individual.
He was accused of illegally leasing another property located Plot 282 Ajose Adeogun St., Victoria Island, Lagos to Ecobank Plc.
Semasa also allegedly forged some purchase receipts of his late fathers property as well as the signature of the late king on the Corporate Affairs Commission documents of  CAJ Industrial Enterprises.
Senate Cautions  Ministries Over Loans 

The Senate  has  government ministries and agencies seeking permission to access foreign loans and seeking approval for their 2021 budget proposals.
The Senate through two of its standing committees asked the affected MDAs to provide detailed explanation on the execution of previous fiscal provisions.
While the Committee on local and foreign debts asked the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance and Debt Management office to furnish it with details before it approves over 995million Euros and $1.5billion foreign loans the Ministry was seeking, before it is approved, the Senate Committee on FCT, suspended approval of the N8.5billion 2021 budget proposal tabled before it by FCT – IRS.
The Committee on local and foreign debt equally frowned at the request by the Agriculture Ministry for two segments of foreign loans aimed at upscaling Mechanized farming and execution of critical infrastructure across the 36 states of the federation in preventing the third wave of COVID – 19.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohmmamed Sabo Nanono and the Director-General of Debt Management Office, Patience Oniha, could not provide satisfactory answers to committee members on the Ministry’s preparedness for the loans.
The plan of actions tabled before the Committee by the Minister of Agriculture on the 995million Euros loans being sought for Agricultural Mechanization across the 774 local government councils in the country, was faulted by Committee members led by Senator Clifford Ordia ( PDP Edo Central) .
The Agriculture Minister had stated that out of the 92million hectares of cultivable land available in the country, only 34 million hectares are utilized now, 780 service centres have been set up across the country for mechanized farming.
In his justification for the loan, Nanono disclosed that “the Ministry is seriously in bilateral partnership with Brazil where 300 tractors are to be bought and imported for the project this year once the loan is approved.
But the committee members from Senator Uba Sani ( APC Kaduna Central ), Birma Enagi ( APC Niger South), Adelere Oriolowo ( APC Osun West ), Francis Alimikhena ( APC Edo North) etc, told the Minister that beautiful plans are different from practical Implementation.
 Senator Oriolowo told the Minister that based on personal experience, the plans he tabled before them will not yield any positive results.
” The tractors you are planning to bring from Brazil, will in no distant time, run aground by people who are not trained for proper usage of such machines as it happened in Osun and Borno States recently.
” Capacity building is very important for people to be engaged in the Mechanised farming, which we didn’t hear from your presentation and besides, are you in touch with the real farmers who if involved, will make the project impactful.
” Beautiful plans like the ones you have just unfolded, are not new in this country. Please rejig the plans to be in tune with productivity needs of the real or rural farmers if you don’t want the money being sought for to go down in drains “, he said.
On the $1.5billion loan being sought for the 36 states government and the federal capital Territory,  for the execution of critical infrastructure against the resurgence of COVID – 19 pandemic, the Committee Chairman, Clifford Ordia, directed the DG  DMO, to furnish them with the creditworthiness of the states, which she couldn’t provide.
FG To Process  Int’l Passport In 24hrs

Interior ministry records 95.6% budget performance
Rauf Aregbosola, the Minister of Interior, has assured that applicants for  the new Nigerian international passport can now get their documents within 24 hours .
He gave the assurance during the commissioning of the Nigeria Immigration Service Passport Express Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said  the country’s international passport could be obtained from the centre within 24 hours at the high premium service and 72 hours at the ordinary premium service, albeit with added value and at an extra cost.
The minister also said that the government planned to have such a facility in every part of the country, saying it would further promote efficiency.
He emphasised that the new centre would reduce stress for applicants, minimise human contact and eliminate the prospect of corruption in the system.
He  stated the establishment of the office was in compliance with the international best practice and in conformity with the Executive Order 1 on the ease-of-doing-business in Nigeria, which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017.
He added: “Further to the above, the sudden emergence of COVID-19 in our world today has not only affected our health, but it has also affected the way we do business and interact socially. Therefore, as we continue to adjust to the new normal, the Nigeria Immigration Service, by this initiative, is decentralising the passport issuing process by bringing it to the doorstep of Nigerians.
“In essence, the Passport Express Centre has indeed come at the right time. The commencement of the operations of this world-class facility will not only offer Nigerians services of convenience and pleasure by taking away the hitherto stress in the conventional passport offices. It will also afford Nigerians the opportunity of getting their passports within 24 hours…”
NAFDAC Boss Advocates Increased Partnership To Fight Fake Drugs

NAFDAC boss recommends capital punishment for fake drug manufacturers,  dealers - MegaIcon Magazine
Professor Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, the Director General,  NAFDAC, has advocated the need for collaboration with sister  agencies to rid Nigeria of illicit, and unwholesome foods
She gave the advice  when shev inspected the warehouse where multi billion naira fake, and unwholesome foods confiscated by Kano Consumers Protection  Council were stored.
She said :”What I have seen here on ground is what other states should be doing. The C34 law is for making sure that fake drugs, and unwholesome foods dont get to the market, that’s NAFDAC law.What we have seen here is the type all states should be doing. NAFDAC don’t have its eyes all over, that’s why why we have federal tax force, state task force and other complementary agencies.”
“We are going to collaborate with Kano Consumers Protection Council to get these products off the market, and we wish other states should have similar arrangements to make our markets safe”.
Sanwo-Olu Rewards  Teachers 

Sanwo-Olu rewards 13 outstanding teachers with cars - Businessday NG
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos,has given out 12 cars to  teachers in the state in order to boost their morale.
The winners include;Abosede Padonu-Daniel, Tolulope Odusanya, Adesola Akindele, Ekundayo Aborisade, Joshua Olasehinde, Oluwasegun Balogun, Ovinuyon Buhari, Rasheed Odenike, Rebecca Oyinloye, Tawakalitu Akinleye, Temitope Ibiwumi, Temitope Gbadamosi.
In his address at the 2020 Teachers’ Merit Awards, Governor Sanwo-Olu
said the event was “to honor our outstanding teachers who have shown uncommon dedication to the teaching profession.
“I celebrate the remarkable teachers who leave no stone unturned in moulding lives, building character, and preparing our students for a productive future.”
The governor, who noted that “teaching is not a thankless job in Lagos State, added that “The annual Teachers’ Merit Award is proof that Lagos State will always reward excellent, committed, and diligent teachers.
“Our administration is cognizant of the essential role that teachers play in building a formidable society, which is why we are committed to rewarding exceptional teachers on a regular basis.’
He said the award “is one of the key strategies for the actualisation of the Education and Technology Pillar of our T-H-E-M-E-S agenda.
“We cannot thank our teachers enough for all they do: for the passion they bring to the job; for inculcating in our children the values they require to succeed; for going the extra mile to teach, train and equip our students to excel as global citizens.”
He said the award  is not only an avenue to reward our teachers’ exceptional efforts,but also a  genuine way of promoting merit and encouraging the spirit of healthy competition amongst our teachers in the state.
“We will continue to appreciate our teachers because the teaching profession is unique – it is a noble profession that involves building lives by imparting knowledge. None of us would be here today without teachers.”
He urged teachers to continue to uphold the ethics and standards of the teaching profession, adding that they should not relent in demonstrating excellence and an uncommon sense of responsibility in performing their duties.
Bayelsa, Microsoft Partner Empowers  12,000 Teachers 

Festival of Surprises for Hon. Gentle Emelah at 54THISDAYLIVE
The Bayelsa State Government and Microsoft Corporation have partnered to train 12,000 teachers and 90,000 pupils on e-learning as part of the state’s vision for digital advancement of education.
Commissioner for Education, Gentle Emelah, stated this during a two-day virtual education transformation workshop, which commenced   yesterday in Yenagoa,
He explained that the initiative was necessitated by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis which disrupted global systems and caused a sharp paradigm shift towards e-learning with digital tools.
He  that the 12,000 teachers would be drawn from public and private schools to ensure that teaching manpower in both sectors were adequately captured for the benefits of pupils.
He said, “Because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are equally learning a new way of reaching and teaching our children and the way to go is e-learning. For that reason, we have partnered with Microsoft.They (Microsoft) are going to train 12,000 teachers for us. And of course, we can’t get 12,000 from the public service so we are going to involve some private school teachers also because the children there are all our children.
“They are equally going to train 90,000 students on how to use the internet for study. Based on that, we felt that as administrators of the system, have to acquire that knowledge so that we know what our teachers are doing when we go out on inspection.”
Microsoft Team Lead in charge of Middle East and Africa, Ms Jaye Richard-Hill, in her remarks, said the workshop was based on the organisation’s “16 key components of a successful transformation strategy” under the four pillars of Microsoft’s Education Transformation Framework (ETF).