CISLAC/TI-Nigeria Commends Reps’ Probe of Security Intervention Funds
Editor
…Demands Investigation into ‘Security Vote’ Implementation
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria) have lauded the decision of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the Expenditure of All Intervention Funds on Security to investigate all security intervention funds disbursed by the Federal Government from 2020 to date.
The group described the move, led by Hon. Zakaria Nyampa, as a welcome step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in the management of resources meant for national security.
In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director and Head of TI-Nigeria, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, the organization urged the National Assembly to conduct the exercise with utmost sincerity in demonstration of its constitutionally guaranteed oversight powers and responsibilities.
“Over the years, CISLAC/TI-Nigeria has observed and repeatedly drawn attention to the accelerated level of corruption, illicit diversion, financial mismanagement, and procurement racketeering bedeviling the Defence and Security sectors. These issues have contributed to underperformance in counter-terrorism efforts and worsening insecurity across the country.”
The organization also called for the extension of the probe to cover state-level “Security Votes,” which it described as opaque and prone to corruption and misuse.
“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, we encourage sub-national efforts by State Houses of Assembly to investigate years of huge allocations under the aegis of ‘Security Vote’, the implementation of which has become opaque and vulnerable to diversion and mismanagement,” the statement read.
CISLAC/TI-Nigeria commended the House Committee’s decision to collaborate with key government institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the EFCC, ICPC, and Civil Society watchdogs.
The organization further congratulated the newly appointed security chiefs, particularly the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for his commitment to prioritizing personnel welfare.
“We acknowledge and applaud the commitment of the new Defence leadership to improving personnel welfare alongside strengthening national security.We have consistently called for adequate remuneration, timely payment of allowances, and improved living conditions for security personnel and their families,”Rafsanjani stated.
The statement also urged the National Assembly to strengthen reforms aimed at minimizing corruption risks within the Defence and Security sector.
“The National Assembly must intensify efforts to ensure reforms across procurement, operational, political, financial, and personnel activities, Reforms should include clear categorization of classified and non-classified items in line with international standards to enhance external oversight, “He also said.
He further called for amendments to conflicting provisions in the Freedom of Information Act and the Official Secrets Act that hinder public oversight, as well as the establishment of comprehensive external oversight frameworks through collaboration between the Ministries of Defence, Interior, Civil Society, and relevant oversight bodies.
“CISLAC/TI-Nigeria remains committed to promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s Defence and Security sectors for improved efficiency and the protection of lives and property,” the statement concluded.
