A non-governmental organisation (NGO), African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), has called for an end to the “impunity in the oil sector management in Nigeria.”
It made the call yesterday at its Advocacy Project Against Impunity in the Oil Subsidy Regime in Nigeria in Abuja. Addressing journalists, its Executive Director, Mr. David Ugolor, said: “The purpose of the entire project is to raise public awareness about general and specific cases of corruption and malpractice in the oil and gas sector, and put pressure on government to do more to bring perpetrators to justice.”
He said the project was a major effort to end impunity in the management of oil subsidy funds in Nigeria, where contractors act in connivance with some “unseen persons” in government collect huge sums of money from government with an intension to import refined products for all Nigerians.
A resource person, Mr. Emmanuel Uche, recommended the strengthening of legal department in anti-corruption agencies through the use of renowned retired judges that were versed in corruption prosecution in the country.
He also advocated for the use of what he termed “market-based incentive” which is aimed at rewarding whistle blowers who would expose corrupt practices in government agencies.
A consultant, Mr. Peter Richie, suggested the allocation of adequate budgetary provisions for anti-corruption agencies, as well as capacity training for staff of such agencies.
He urged government to develop the political will to prosecute corruption cases to a logical conclusion.
Richie advised the media to engage in evidence-based reporting in order to give credibility to media reports on corruption in the country.
