THE Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International-Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have called for a diligent investigative process in the probe into the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) currently ongoing at the House of Representatives, a statement by Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani on behalf of the two organisations, has stated.
Rafsanjani said CISLAC and TI-Nigeria have followed with keen interest the sad revelations unfolding at the forensic audit probe and commended the House of Representatives as well as others engaged in the process in response to President Buhari’s directive to look into the operations of the NDDC from 2000-2019.
Rafsanjani described as sad the unfolding events trailing the probe such as the controversial attempt to arrest former Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC, Ms Joi Nunieh, the allegations and counter-allegations of corruption between the parties being probed.
“We want to use this opportunity to call on the National Assembly to wake up to their statutory and legislative responsibilities which includes responsive and responsible oversight, effective representation and law making, as well prudent constituency accountability; and not act in a manner that is tantamount to corruption. This will lead to loss of moral superiority and confidence to question any form of irresponsibility from other government agencies and officials as “He that comes to equity must come with clean hands.”
“We call on the presidency and other relevant anti-graft agencies to act accordingly to institutionalized processes and culture of accountability that affirms responsible public financial management in Nigeria.
“We hereby call on the National Assembly to duly and timely see to a conclusion of every allegation brought to the floor of the two chambers and not hesitate to involve the judiciary and anti-graft agencies where necessary. It is important that these allegations, which do not speak well for our country, are resolved satisfactorily, especially as the country is battling with harsh economic realities, debilitating debt profile and faced with a desperate need to mobilize resources and effectively utilize it,” CISLAC said.
