Ending inglorious reign of rogue NGOs

Activities of some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the country have continued to attract criticism as for operating outside the law, a situation which has pitched some NGOs against the Nigerian Army. In this report SAMSON BENJAMIN and PAUL OKAH examines areas of contention and chances of the ‘rejected’ NGOs Regulatory Commission of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill of 2016, which has been revived by the House of Representative, in curbing the menace.

Formation and activities of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are as old as independent Nigeria, however, over the years these organizations have continued to increase with some operating with genuine intentions and good reports to show for it, while others are used as channels for extorting money, through grants and aides, mostly from foreign organizations and individuals. For instance in the North-east, where over 2 million Nigerians have been displaced as a results of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, local and international NGO’s have over the years filled the vacuum left by government by providing basic amenities and essential services to victims of attacks and communities.

However, lately, activities of some NGOs have left much to be desired as they have become a means of making money with many fake organisations being paraded by individuals to attract local and international grants.

NGOs as money making venture

The Nigerian Army had threatened shut down more NGOs in Borno state and the North-east at large over the alleged logistics supports that Boko Haram terrorists get from the NGOs.

The Deputy Director Army Public Relations (DDAPR), Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Ado Isa, in a statement alleged sabotage of the counter insurgency operations in the North east by some NGOs.

The theatre Command of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Lafiya Dole had on September 19, and September 24, 2019, respectively, shut down the offices of two international humanitarian organization: Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps, operating in North-east Nigeria for allegedly ‘aiding and abetting’ Boko Haram terrorists by supplying them food, fuel and medicine.

A statement by the Operation Lafiya Dole Theatre Command in Maiduguri, Borno state, said the army had ‘credible intelligence’ that the NGO supplies food and medication to the outlawed armed group.

The army did not provide details of the ‘credible intelligence’ it has. It also did not state if it has the permission or support of the presidency to announce such a ban.

…Also in FCT

Similarly, during a visit by Blueprint Weekend to the New Kuchingoro Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Founder of Girlspace Charity Foundation, an NGO which operates in the camp, Mr Beedof Abireh, lamented the activities of some fraudulent NGOs.

He said the camp is home to many NGOs who throng the camp with relief materials on daily basis. However, the “gesture is viewed with suspicion by many of the IDPs, who regard many of the NGOs as fake organisations that use pictures they take at IDPs camps to obtain support from foreign donors; without truly caring about the plight of the IDPs.”

Similarly, a lecturer in the department of Social Works University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Dr Evelyn Ajearo, told Blueprint Weekend that many NGOs operating in Nigeria see humanitarian activities as a money making venture rather than humanitarian service.

She said: “Some NGOs in Nigeria do not have the requisite funds and human resources to sustain their individual campaign. Further concern is that they there has recently been an unnecessary proliferation and duplication of NGOs in Nigeria.

 “Perhaps Nigeria has suddenly discovered the need to be involved in public interest advocacy, however, the proliferation of NGOs may instead be explained by the fact that public interest advocacy is gradually emerging as money making venture.

 “Nowhere is this more apparent than Nigeria where some NGOs have few members, lack ability to generate funds internally, are supported by foreign donors, and appear to have been set by their ‘proprietor’, ‘sponsors’ as vehicles for personal enrichment. Hence, today it is not uncommon to fine mushroom NGOs that have little or no intention to pursue social goals. Indeed because NGOs are not required to account publicly for their funds, it is easy for funds to be diverted into private pockets of their organisers and sponsors,” she said.

Corrupt official floating CSOs

The former minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, recently told the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other world bodies that corrupt public officials in Nigeria are now floating Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), so as to give those in corridors power a fake clean bill of health on transparency and open government.

She therefore charged international organisations to be cautious while dealing with NGOs claiming to be fighting corruption and promoting transparency in the country.

She said:  “From outside, you can’t really do so much. You really need to identify the institutions, the people and those who are willing to work on this reform and support them.

“But you need to ensure you are working with the right CSOs and NGOs. We have a joke in my country that you can have NGI instead of NGO. NGI is non-governmental individuals instead of non-governmental organisations.

“The people you are fighting are also very smart. They are not just sitting back. They also develop their own NGOs to serve as a front for them; people who can certify them that they are very accountable in what they are doing.

“So, you have to be careful. You have to be able to identify those who are the proper people. And we have many NGOs in Nigeria and in the African continent who are fighting really hard that to make the governments accountable. But be very careful not to get bogged down,” she said.

Law to the rescue

The House of Representatives at its plenary session of Tuesday 24th September 2019 resolved to investigate the operations of NGOs and revisit the 8th Assembly Bill seeking to provide for their supervision and monitoring.

 Areas of NGOs operations highlighted to be of interest to the House according to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila included the number of NGOs in the country, their means for raising funds and the manner their funds are utilised.

“The House would revisit the Non-Governmental Organisations Regulatory Commission of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2016 following concerns about the operations of NGOs during the meeting with Service Chiefs on Monday,” he said.

CSOs react

In chat with Blueprint Weekend, the Executive Director Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, said the move by the House of Representative was not justified because there so many laws that regulate the activities of NGOs in Nigeria, adding that additional legislation would shrink the civic space.

 “I think that the move by the House of Representative is ill-advised and rather than leading to national growth and unity will only shrink Nigeria’s civic space. Non-governmental organisations are called ‘non-governmental organisations’ for a reason.  The plan to ‘control’ them by government will only result in flagrant abuses.

“As it is CSOs and NGOs are heavily regulated.  First, Part C of the Company’s and Allied Matters Act dictates their form and gives directions for their governance. You must also realise that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is everybody’s business through the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundry (SCMUL). So the financial inflows and outflows are directly monitored apart from the annual audits you must mandatorily submit to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). The banks Know Your Customers (KYC) policies also monitor their transactions.  These are just a few of the local laws and regulations that direct the sector.

“No donor in today’s world just throws money at NGOs and don’t monitor how their funds are being used.  External audits and reports follow every kobo! A blacklist or question mark by a donor will result in losing all donors – it’s a small sector, word spreads fast.

“The army’s problem with the NGOs are a different matter altogether. First, there are legal routes if they think they have a legitimate issue to deal with. Second, most NGOs have a neutrality policy, a concept that is strange to the military in Nigeria.

“I should think we need to spend more training our Army on the laws of war and the management of civilians in asymmetric armed conflict. We must however commend our gallant officers. They work in very difficult situations with so little equipment and resources. You would however hope they will invest in focusing on tactics for ending the insurgency rather than making enemies of potential allies,” she said.

FG wades in

Meanwhile, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (MHADMSD), Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, has said that efforts are being made by the federal government to resolve issues bordering on suspension of two international NGOs in the North-east.

She stated this in a media briefing held on Thursday, October 3rd, in Abuja. She appealed to all parties involved in the impasse to exercise patience as “investigations are being carried out to ensure a peaceful resolution of the impasse, especially the teeming number of people that are dependent on humanitarian support.”

She revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari chaired a meeting with the MHADMSD and relevant stakeholders on September 30 to review the humanitarian situation in the North-east, even as she said government will take bigger responsibility in the management of humanitarian situation in the region.

She said: “We’ve reviewed concerns both locally and internationally on the recent suspension of some NGOs in the Northeast by the military. The temporary suspension is to enable government carryout a review with the view to deliver better services to the IDPs. Much as their humanitarian engagements are cherished by government, they must be streamlined with our security needs and requirements.

“The army has contributed significantly in maintaining peace in the Northeast, sometimes paying with their lives, while, on the other hand, humanitarian actors have worked with Nigerian government in providing food security, health/ nutrition and livelihood programmes in Borno, Yobe and Jigawa states. Therefore, the need for a good working relationship between humanitarian NGOs and security agencies cannot be overemphasized,” she said.

EU, US offers technical support

Worried by the development in the North-east, the European Union and United States have offered technical assistance to the MHADMSD.

Addressing newsmen after a closed door meeting with the minister on Thursday, October 3, EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlsen, said the EU is willing to work with the newly created ministry to make sure humanitarian aids are provided to the North-east.

He said: “Today, we had a good meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. We came here with members of the EU and member states. Over the last few years, the EU has provided humanitarian aids in the region of 209 million Euros and we are currently starting to implement the social protection and recovery support to the Northeast in general and Yobe and Borno states in particular.

“This partnership is already ongoing. It will be reinforced by the establishment of this pertinent and important ministry. We had an excellent discussion and listened to the strong strategic plans of the minister and offered our help in the coordination role she has. This is to ensure that Nigerians are safe. We expect that there should be coordination between civilian and military engagement in the Northeast and making sure there is a strong coordination on ground with regards to the support provided by the EU and other key partners.

On her part, Charge’d Affairs in the US Embassy, Kathleen Fitegibbon and Country Director of USAID, Mr Steve Haykin, said the purpose of their visit was to learn more about what the new ministry is doing, revealing it had always been difficult to partner with coordinating government agencies on humanitarian affairs.

“This is because we have a lot of investments in humanitarian operations in Nigeria. But with the new ministry, we will now have the confidence to work in partnership to achieve more,” they said.

On her part, the minister said the ministry was mandated to coordinate and supervise the humanitarian activities of government and International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs). “We are seeking for collaboration and cooperation on technical assistance to move forward. We are focusing mainly on recovery and how we can empower, resettle and reintegrate the displaced persons back into the society. Some of the areas are now safe for them to return.

“I am aware of all the efforts of INGOs. I want to assure you that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari is appreciative of the activities of INGOs. On the suspension of activities of two INGOs, the issue will be resolved shortly; we are waiting for the outcome of investigation,” she said.

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