President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said corruption in the oil sector and outright theft of Nigeria’s crude oil had been made worse by the culture of impunity which reigned under previous administrations.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke at a group meeting of Commonwealth leaders on corruption chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain in Malta on Saturday.
Buhari was quoted as urging the international community to do more to support the Federal Government’s efforts to curb corruption in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
“President Buhari said that corruption in the oil sector and outright theft of Nigeria’s crude oil had been exacerbated by the culture of impunity which reigned under previous administrations,” the statement read.
Shehu also quoted the President as saying that corruption in the sector had also thrived because of the ease of transferring illicit funds abroad and the institutional protection given to corrupt officials in the past.
“Now that we have the political will to stop impunity, we need the cooperation and assistance of the international community.
“We must all work together to compel multinational oil companies, international financial institutions and international shipping lines to stop aiding and abetting corruption in the oil sector in Nigeria,” President Buhari told the gathering which included the leaders of Australia, Canada, Singapore, Malta, Sri Lanka, Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, Cameron said the Commonwealth and the international community must do more to fight corruption and promote good governance.
He said, “We care passionately about this issue of fighting corruption. In my view, this issue needs to have a much higher billing on the international agenda, not just because fighting corruption is right in itself, but because all the other things we want to achieve as countries and members of the Commonwealth depend on our success in doing so.
“If we want fair economic growth, we need to reject corruption. If we want to see fair and sustainable development, we need to deal with corruption. I think this is an absolutely vital issue. It is an issue for all of us because so much of the money stolen from developing countries is hidden in developed countries.
“So dealing with money laundering, dealing with beneficial ownership and making sure we stop stolen money being hidden away in developed countries is absolutely vital,” the British Prime Minister reportedly said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Great the first step has been identified, instead of duelling on this issue why don't the government scrap the whole system start from scratch and build something robust. "Action speaks louder than words" I appreciate the fact that our president wrote on the banner of eradicating corruption and embezzlement and he won now is the time to actually do something about it. Bring together experts of various fields to manage the various sectors, have them develop the kind strong systems you expect to see working, ask the entire nation to join hands in nation building just like Thomas Sankara did with Burkina Faso.
ReplyDeletePresidents should report on the status of the national development on quarterly basis to the people who put them there, instead of giving us vague stories. Provide statistics with specific technicalities on how each sector of the economy and nation is working, a transparent report made on the website which is accessible by everyone that way you gain the trust of the people motivating them to strive to deliver quality service towards nation building for a better Nigeria for their children and themselves
Say about the economy, it is the job of the Ministry in charge of Economy and planning along with the ministry of Finance to tell us the the inflation rate, our BOP, GDP assessing how we can reduce Imports and increase exports, stimulating growth of local industrial sectors diversifying the economy so 80% of our GDP is not dependent on Oil & Gas. Sectors like tourism, agriculture, Service industries, Technology and manufacturing. Promoting trade with our ECOWAS neighbour working on creating a free trade zone. Investing part of our foreign reserve into profitable investment vehicles, just like ME countries. I am no expert in this area but i am certain doing this with qualified professionals should take our economy higher.
We know what to do we just do not want to do it. It requires sacrifice and it has to start with us.
The system must remain oh. How do you think the north are going to be able to control your oil? In a fair system? And so oik blocks will nomore be awarded on patronage. What do you think this fight for power is about? Grow some brains and some balls to admit to yourself what one Nigeria is all about or you will be passing on your educated ignorance to your next generation.
ReplyDeleteVery well said Ayuk. Time for action rather than words, blaming and promises! During the election campaigns, these problems were "identified" by APC, and they were voted in to correct these problems. NOW ACTION!!!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 11:08 it is thinking like this that sets us one step in front and three steps behind. You grow some balls and brains to understand that it is by collective will and hard work that this nation will move forward. Instead of burying your head in the dogma of preconceived notions and ideas. If you did not read my comment well it said to diversify the economy. Ethiopia does not have Oil & Gas or any Natural resource for that matter but is growing faster than any African country at the moment.
ReplyDeleteTalk, talk, and talk by government officials. Where are the actions, where are the convictions, where are the recoveries of our stolen wealth? I hope government is learning from Ayuk.
ReplyDelete