President Goodluck Jonathan has
restated his administration’s commitment to the anti-graft war with a pledge to
recover all stolen wealth.
The president might be reacting to misgivings about his approach
to the fight against corruption which most perceive as unserious.
to the fight against corruption which most perceive as unserious.
Opposition parties and other interest groups as well as
individuals have kicked against the state pardon he granted his former boss and
erstwhile Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha alongside
six other ex-convicts condemning the decision on the ground that it would
encourage high profile corruption and fraud in the country.
individuals have kicked against the state pardon he granted his former boss and
erstwhile Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha alongside
six other ex-convicts condemning the decision on the ground that it would
encourage high profile corruption and fraud in the country.
But the president noted, yesterday, at the opening of the
Economist Magazine’s Nigeria Summit, 2013 in Lagos that the ongoing reforms by
the federal government, including the anti-corruption war, apart from helping
to achieve long term development objectives, would also engender better and
more fulfilled life for all Nigerians, as well as improving the international
image of the country.
“Corruption and issues of good Governance are also being
vigorously tackled on all fronts. Nigeria was one of the first signatories to
the Inter-governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa
(GIABA), and I recently signed the Anti-Money Laundering Act into law.
vigorously tackled on all fronts. Nigeria was one of the first signatories to
the Inter-governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa
(GIABA), and I recently signed the Anti-Money Laundering Act into law.
“The three tiers of government now meet regularly to review and
appraise progress and strategy. The recent dismissal of three judges found to
have compromised their offices is an unmistakable signal of zero tolerance for
corruption in the judiciary”, Jonathan stated.
appraise progress and strategy. The recent dismissal of three judges found to
have compromised their offices is an unmistakable signal of zero tolerance for
corruption in the judiciary”, Jonathan stated.
The successful implementation of the National Transformation Agenda
and the principles of good governance, he noted, remained a task that would
require the support of all Nigerians and stressed that the creation of a
politically stable environment was the bedrock for economic and social
progress.
and the principles of good governance, he noted, remained a task that would
require the support of all Nigerians and stressed that the creation of a
politically stable environment was the bedrock for economic and social
progress.
Jonathan used the occasion to remind his traducers that the
federal government had been laying solid foundation for international partners
to come in and fully support Nigeria’s development efforts through investments
and collaboration in different sectors of the economy.
federal government had been laying solid foundation for international partners
to come in and fully support Nigeria’s development efforts through investments
and collaboration in different sectors of the economy.
He also said that the implementation of the Integrated Payroll
and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has been able to check the problem of
ghost workers in the public service while over N100 billion had been saved in
past year alone.
and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has been able to check the problem of
ghost workers in the public service while over N100 billion had been saved in
past year alone.
The president lamented, however, that his effort at revamping
the country economically had been confronted by major security challenges, and
stressed that business and international communities must recognise that
security challenges are part of a rising global phenomenon.
the country economically had been confronted by major security challenges, and
stressed that business and international communities must recognise that
security challenges are part of a rising global phenomenon.
Jonathan, however gave the assurance that regardless of origin
and linkages, domestic and international, his administration was committed to
finding solution to the threat of terrorism even as he pointed out that
terrorist groups operating within the country were increasingly linked to other
groups operating internationally.
and linkages, domestic and international, his administration was committed to
finding solution to the threat of terrorism even as he pointed out that
terrorist groups operating within the country were increasingly linked to other
groups operating internationally.
He said that while the first of the three pronged approach to
addressing the menace of terrorism in the country was the strengthening of
counter-terrorism cooperation with neighbouring countries, the second approach
was openness to political dialogue, and maintained that this could only
realistically progress when the groups and individuals involved relinquish
their anonymity, and come forward in sincerity to make their objectives known
to the Nigerian people.
addressing the menace of terrorism in the country was the strengthening of
counter-terrorism cooperation with neighbouring countries, the second approach
was openness to political dialogue, and maintained that this could only
realistically progress when the groups and individuals involved relinquish
their anonymity, and come forward in sincerity to make their objectives known
to the Nigerian people.
The third approach, the president hinted, focuses on economic
inclusion which targets the disadvantaged and unemployed in the society,
especially in the North East, with economic opportunities in agriculture,
entrepreneurial support, graduate employment and unskilled job
programmes.
inclusion which targets the disadvantaged and unemployed in the society,
especially in the North East, with economic opportunities in agriculture,
entrepreneurial support, graduate employment and unskilled job
programmes.
Source: Leadership
