PACAP Lauds PTF on Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed serious limitations on the capacity of institutions of government to deliver services to the citizens based on their mandate with effectiveness and efficiency. However, there is widespread use of technology to render minimal services to the public by institutions of government. This innovative approach is commendable.  The Committee notes that as the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 is making spirited efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and eventually get us out of the crisis, the citizens have a major role to play.The Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) in fulfillment of its mandate of fighting corruption and the reformation of the criminal justice system, continues to monitor events in the country. Accordingly, the Committee observes as follows:1. The scourge of economic and financial crimes; public sector corruptions as well as financial frauds and crimes are being fought with vigor by anti-corruption agencies, especially the EFCC and, ICPC, (which are the lead agencies) and NFIU; and the nation is the better for it. The capacity, efforts and the achievements of these frontline Anti-corruption Agencies need  to  be sustained and strengthened during and after the pandemic to enhance national development and security.  2. The Federal and State Governments are pouring out a lot of resources as palliatives to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. As the distribution is going on, identified sharp practices must be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities. This is to ensure that bottlenecks are removed,paving way for the palliatives reaching the intended targets.  3. The phased measures  for curbing the pandemic and mitigating its effects, issued by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 are in the right direction and reflect global pattern of response. The provisions therein to cushion the effects of the pandemic are effective. Again, all stakeholders in the fight against corruption should assist the PTF to ensure that resources earmarked for tackling the challenges of COVID-19 are judiciously utilized for the benefit of the citizens. 4. It is crystal clear that Nigeria needs other reliable sources of revenue outside oil and gas revenue. While agriculture offers a sustainable pathway, payment of taxes in the forms of VAT, Stamp duty, company tax, special taxes by corporations and personal income tax by ordinary citizens must be ingrained in the psyche of Nigerians by our media and other agencies charged with information dissemination. For Nigerians to have confidence in paying taxes, the reforms in the FIRS must continue. It is when Funds generated through taxes positively impact on the lives of the people that there will be more incentive to pay taxes.  5. In the fight against corruption, the judiciary is crucial. The Committee also realizes that some degree of miscarriage of justice prevalent in courts owes its origin to systemic and endemic corruption of some judicial officers. Thus, to promote national security, stability and progress, the spectre of corruption in our courts has to be confronted. We encourage Nigerians to reach out to the government with credible information on how to reform the judiciary to serve the citizens and society instead of a few powerful people. The Nigeria Bar Association should instill discipline, ethics and professionalism in the Bar. Corruption can effectively be fought with a Bar and Bench that are dedicated to the actualization of integrity, honour and justice in the processes and outcomes of our legal system. 6. PACAC is concerned with perceptions of corruption among law enforcement personnel, with whom citizens interact on a daily basis. The misconduct and indiscipline of some security personnel during the current inter-state lockdown are disturbing. 7. The Committee appreciates the contributions of all the whistleblowers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that are complementing the efforts of the Government in the fight against corruption. They are helping the Government to wrestle corruption to the ground. The Committee thankswhistleblowers covering revenue generating agencies and hotspots like CBN. Let us continue to render service to our nation by blowing the whistle on MDAs that are perpetrating corruption.  8. In the fight against corruption every single voice and action is important. As the Federal Government is ever committed and determined to stem the tide of corruption, we urge citizens, CSOs, the media, religious institutions, labour unions, youth and  women groups to support the Anti- corruption Agencies in their dogged fight against the malaise of corruption.  9. The Committee commends the PTF on COVID-19 and State Governments for introducing and implementing measures to curb the spread of coronavirus in order to mitigate its impact on citizens, the economy and the society.  Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Prof. Itse Sagay, SANChairman,Presidential Advisory Committee against corruption.