The Civil Society Legoslative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has said that reforms meant to address corruption in the extractive sector have fallen short of the desired goals in the past four years.
Executive Director of CISLAC Auwal Musa Idris who said this when he spoke to journalists on Monday in Abuja added that the recurrent losses to the nation in oil and gas revenue showed a poor attitude toward implementation of reports.
According to him, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) report revealed the losses the country was currently experiencing due to failure to pass into law the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
He urged the President to in the next four years to ensure the passage of this and related legislations to entrench reforms in the sector.
“He should also ensure that the disclosure of beneficial owners of licenses in the sector and the publicizing of oil and mining becomes a reality as envisaged by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the Open Government Partnership Commitments National Action Plan.’
He also said the next phase of the Presidents anti-corruption programme must be anchored on clear anti-corruption strategy, active support and involvement of citizens groups, the legislature.
He said the fight must prioritize prevention and sanction to win back public support and increase the cost of corruption for everyone.
On the security sector reform, Idris said corruption in the defence and security sector contributes significantly to the human despair and economic stagnation across Nigeria.
He said while Nigerian defence budget has soared more than 500 per cent in the last 10 years, insecurity and breakdown of the rule of law in some parts of the country continue unabated.
