Hello everyone.
Welcome to another weekly roundup of our top stories.
Last week, we reacted to the destructive flooding in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, and threat to whistleblowing, the move to create two more states in the southeast among other top stories.
Salary after Japa: Closing Transparency, Accountability Gaps in Civil Service
The continuation of salary payments to a United Kingdom-based Nigerian civil servant two years after his relocation highlights significant flaws within the Nigerian civil service’s administrative and oversight mechanisms.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Folasade Yemi-Esan, has to ensure comprehensive reforms to tighten administrative controls and foster a culture of accountability in the service. This will be essential in preventing similar occurrences in the future. There should also be prosecution of those involved in unauthorised salary payments and for decisive action to be taken to address this corruption. Read more
Recovered Loot: Government Must Conduct Audits of Past Recoveries
The alleged return of looted funds recovered by the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property under former President Muhammadu Buhari is a dent in Nigeria’s corruption fight and must be investigated by the current administration. President Tinubu needs to order thorough audits of past recoveries, and hold accountable those responsible for the return of looted funds, alongside implementing robust mechanisms to prevent any recurrence. Read more
Port Harcourt Refinery: Minister Should Provide Update
The Senate’s Downstream Committee announcement regarding the delayed full operations of the three government-owned refineries until January 2025 contrasts sharply with President Bola Tinubu‘s promise of a functioning Port Harcourt refinery by December 2023. President Tinubu and the Minister of State Petroleum (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, should provide Nigerians with the latest update on the commencement of production at the PortHarcourt refinery to regain public trust through transparent communication. Read more
Lagos Flooding: Implementing Effective Flood Management Plan
The residents of Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, have continued to witness flooding in various parts of the state. This calls for concerted efforts from the state government. The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, must take immediate, decisive action to develop and implement effective flood management strategies. Read more
Threat to Whistleblowers: Why Lawmakers Must Pass Protection Bill
Why is the federal government threatening to imprison whistleblowers who leak government documents?
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, recently warned that unauthorised disclosure or leakage of official documents, which can negatively impact the country, is a punishable offence. The Nigerian legislature should ensure the Whistleblowers and Witness Protection Bill passes a second reading, and President Bola Tinubu should not to delay assent to the bill. Read more
Move to Create Two Southeast States: Lawmakers Must Get Priorities Straight
The move by lawmakers to create two states in the southeast of Nigeria is a misguided initiative that overlooks the pressing economic and security issues plaguing the area. Lawmakers representing the people of the southeast, as well as other political leaders in the region, should focus on restoring an atmosphere in which people’s potential is realised and businesses thrive again in the region. Read more
Illegal Certificates: JAMB Should Apply Appropriate Sanctions
It is concerning that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) recently found 3,000 forged certificates, and this finding highlights the pervasiveness of fraudulent operations in the education sector.
JAMB needs to apply appropriate sanctions to erring institutions in accordance with extant laws and regulations. Read more
Protest Plan: EFCC Should Address Dissatisfaction, Not Warning
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently issued a warning against protests by citizens, and this raises concerns about the state of democratic freedoms in Nigeria. The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, should, instead of warning against protests, call on citizens to ensure protests are peaceful, alongside calling on the Nigerian police to aid in ensuring peaceful protests.
The commission, and indeed all government agencies, should encourage open dialogue and constructive criticism as part of their operational ethos. Read more
Kenya: Investigate Shooting of Finance Bill Protesters
Over to East Africa, the recent shooting into crowds of protesters by security operatives in Kenya demonstrates a blatant disregard for human life and the principles of democracy.
Ruto had earlier assured that his government has mechanisms to make sure that any excesses by security operatives are dealt with, hence, he should take immediate steps to investigate the killings of persons protesting the government’s proposed tax measures. Read more
Congo: Immediate Support Needed to Avert Catastrophe
In Central Africa, millions of people in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are at risk of facing catastrophic humanitarian conditions. The international humanitarian community must help provide immediate support to the people of DRC to avert a worsened humanitarian situation. Read more
That is the roundup of some stories that made headlines last week. More headlines are available on Development Diaries or dev_diaries on IG and X, and development diaries on Facebook.
