‘Corruption has increased’ – say majority of Nigerians, ‘but we can make a difference’

                                                                                                                            

According to Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer which surveyed a 1000 Nigerians, there is good and bad news for Nigeria’s fight against corruption:

Bad News

• 85% of Nigerians believe that corruption has increased over the last two years.
• 94% believe corruption is a problem in the Public Sector.
•  72% believe Government is run by a few big entities acting in their own self-interest
• 75% believe the Government is ineffective in its fight against corruption.The institutions perceived to be the most corrupt were political parties and the police, while 81% admitted to having paid a bribe to the police.
• 24% reported paying a bribe to the judiciary.

Good news

• 56% of Nigerians (a slight majority) believe that ordinary citizens can make a difference in the fight against corruption.

Despite the depressing statistics on what Nigerians believe and have experienced on corruption, we can take encouragement that a slight majority believe that ordinary citizens can make a difference. The challenge for Nigeria is working out how.

http://www.transparency.org/gcb2013/country/?country=nigeria

Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units at local government levels

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is advocating for the establishment of the anti-corruption and transparency units (ACTUs) at the local government levels [http://www.thenigeriandaily.com/2011/05/23/icpc-bayelsa-lg-bosses-meet-to-tackle-corruption-at-councils/]. While this sounds like a good initiative, the operational guidelines for the anti-corruption and transparency units [http://www.icpcng.com/abouticpc/?com_option=c4ca4238a0b923820dcc509a6f75849b&p=7&com_content=8f14e45fceea167a5a36dedd4bea2543 ] makes it difficult for these units to be effective due to the following reasons:

• First, the ACTU staff are selected from within the ministry or agency from where it operates. This results in a conflict of interest. It would be very difficult for staff within a particular agency to objectively report on corruption complaints received as it could involve colleagues or friends within the agency.

• Second, the salaries of the ACTU staff and funding for the unit activities are provided by the ministry or agency where it operates. This affects the ability of the ACTU to operate independently. It will be difficult for ACTU to effectively discharge its functions based on this arrangement as it compromises its independence.

The ICPC should review its guidelines for the operations of the ACTUs in order to make it more independent and effective. They should consider the following:

• The staff composition of the unit should be from the ICPC or independent consultants who are independent of the agency or ministry where it operates.
•  The staff salaries and funding for activities should come from the ICPC.
• The ICPC should also advocate for the establishment and passage of a whistleblower protection law. The absence of a whistleblower protection law is a hindrance as it makes it more difficult for people to blow the whistle on corrupt practices within a particular agency or ministry.

ICPC should consider making these changes before establishing anti-corruption units at the local government levels. 

Tackling Corruption in Nigeria: top-down vs bottom-up approach?

“Corruption cannot be tackled from the top; it has to be confronted from the grassroots". This is a recent statement made by John Githongo (Kenyan Anti-Corruption campaigner). http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/may/06/corruption-confronted-grassroots-john-githongo-kenya

Yes, tackling corruption requires strong grassroots organisations to monitor and challenge the activities of government. Yet this will not be sufficient. The government also has a role to play in tackling corruption. Nigeria needs a holistic approach to tackle corruption.

First, we need to tackle the root causes of corruption. Patronage politics is one of the major causes of corruption in Nigeria. Political office aspirants who do not have enough funds to spend during election campaigns often seek help from ‘god fathers’ whom they have to pay back using public funds when they are in power. We need to reform election practices in Nigeria particularly the issue of campaign financing. We need stronger legislation and enforcement to prevent excessive spending by political parties and candidates during elections. Inevitably this needs sympathetic reformers in Government to complement the pressure from grassroots.  

Second, it is not enough to build the capacity of grassroots organisations; they also need to be empowered with the right information. Transparency is a key factor making it possible to identify corruption flashpoints (for example the publishing of budgetary allocations to states and ministries and publishing government expenditures). This makes it easier for grassroots organisations to track and challenge government activities when necessary.

Third, we need to strengthen institutions charged with the responsibility of fighting corruption and punishing corrupt offenders through creating laws that make them independent from government and more effective. Grassroots organisation would play a key role in campaigning for these reforms but it also needs sympathetic reformers in government. John Githongo raises interesting points about the need for grassroots involvement in the fight against corruption, but this should not be an either/or situation. Both government and grassroots organisation have a major role to play in combating corruption.