Workshop
Details
On Tuesday, the 19th of April, 2016, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung held a roundtable on Corruption in Governance and Society at the Protea Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja. The event had leaders of political parties, lawmakers, media, CSOs, civil servants, labour organizations in attendance.
Papers were presented by members of a panel. The Dep. National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Sen. Lawal Shuaibu,spoke on causes of corruption and the Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Alh A. A. Salaam presented a paper on Corruption in Governance and Society. Alh Salaam noted that a well-functioning procurement system is important for all public entities. This will help their budgetary efficiency and management. He also highlighted the advantages of E-Procurement, a transactional system which he claims is cost-effective, productive and with controls. Chief Peter Ameh, Chairman of the Progressive People´s Alliance (PPA) gave his views on Corruption as Policy Failure.
In his presentation, the Chairman of the Democratic People’s Congress (DPC), Rev. Olusegun Peters recommended ways through which a sound democracy can be built without corruption. He regretted that nobody has been prosecuted or jailed for electoral offences. This he claims is one of the reasons why election rigging and other electoral offences have continued. He said that his party, the DPC condemns the frequent inconclusive elections across the country. He advocated for a civil service and electoral reforms as ways of curbing corruption. The legislature and judiciary should also be free to carry out their duties and checks and balances should be enforced.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko of the National Conscience Party (NCP)suggested ways through which the Nigerian society can exist without corruption. He gave a historical overview of the different administrations and ways in which some of them misused power for financial or personal gains. Dr. Tanko also proffered solutions. He advised that better salaries should be given in government jobs, use online transactions, enact laws that prosecute corrupt officials, install cameras in most government offices. HE also recommended that work process in government institutions should be sped up, the inflation should be kept low and the media should be made more responsible.
A communique was issued after lively discussions and many good contributions from The House of Representatives, by Civil Society, the Media and among others, Comrade Uche Igwe from the Nigerian Labour Congress. The participants advocated for an urgent need to tackle corruption, a well-paid civil service, a responsible media and elections without malpractices amongst other recommendations. Closing remarks were thereafter made by Mrs. Kigozi, the country representative of KAS.
