By Petpetua Onuegbu
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria has commended the decision by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee to probe probe security intervention funds.
Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/ Head of Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) made the commendation in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
According to him, the decision to probe the Expenditure of All Intervention Funds on Security led by Hon. Zakaria Nyampa, of a comprehensive investigation into all security intervention funds released by the Federal Government from its coffers from 2020 to date is remarkable.
He said while the legislative move targeted at ensuring “transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in the disbursement and utilisation of resources meant to protect Nigerians and nationals of other nations.
“We are hopeful that the National Assembly conducts the exercise with utmost sincerity in demonstration of its Constitutionally-guaranteed oversight powers and responsibilities.
“Over the years, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria has through its engagements aim at unlocking transparency and accountability and improve overall efficiency of the Defence and Security financial, procurement, personnel/gender and operational activities.
“Has observed and at different fora drawn the public, policy and legislative attention to the accelerated level of corruption, illicit diversion, financial mismanagement and procurement racketeering bedeviling the sectors.”
He said this had resulted in under-performance at counter-terrorism/violent extremism activities and accelerated insecurity across the country.
“In the spirit of transparency and accountability of the Defence and Security interventions, we encourage extended sub-national efforts by relevant stakeholders and oversight authorities.
“Including the State Houses of Assembly to deepen investigation and uncover the applications of years of whopping allocations to the State Governments under the aegis of “Security Vote”.
“Implementation of which has become opaque with maximum exposure to corruption, diversion and mismanagement that accelerate insecurity in various parts of the country.”
He said the nation’s defence and security governance must be strengthened through enhanced Civilian Oversight bodies and activities, to restore best practices and efficiency in financial, operational, procurement and personnel management.
Rafsanjani noted that efficient oversight of the defence and security sectors remained sacrosanct to ensure transparency, prevent fraud and abuse, and promote efficiency.
“While upholding the mandates of relevant institutions with fundamental responsibilities to monitor compliance, ensure fairness, equity and address ethical misconduct.
“In order to ensure credibility and openness in the exercise, we also welcome the decision of the Committee to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office, Office of the National Security Adviser.
“Defence and police authorities, as well as the EFCC, ICPC, and Civil Society watchdogs including CISLAC/TI-Nigeria.
“On a similar note, our heartfelt congratulations goes to the newly appointed Security Chiefs, while acknowledging and applauding their recent commitments, particularly the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, to prioritise personnel welfare alongside improving national security.
“We call on the National Assembly to take int cognisance immediate amendment and harmonisation of the relevant provisions in Freedom of Information Act including Section 11(1) and Official Secret Act.”
The CISLAC boss said this would help to remove contradictory provisions hampering civilian oversight of the Defence and Security sector, while enhancing transparency and accountability in procurement, financial and personnel activities.
He also called on the Ministries of Defence and Interior in collaboration with National Assembly, relevant oversight bodies, Civil Society, to prioritise implementation of a comprehensive external oversight framework. (NAN)