General News
CAPAR, Illicit Financial Flows, Natural Resources Management take centre stage at Africa’s Citizens Forum
…As CoDA, AU Council, AUABC and APRM Draw Over 500 Key Govt Officials, Private Sector Professionals, CSOs, Community Organisations
Olasunmibo Aboluwade, Abuja
The Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR), Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), Africa’s natural resources management, and the implementation of the AU Mining Vision will take the centre stage of this year’s Citizens Forum in Accra, Ghana.
A session at the Citizens Forum themed “Towards a Coordinated and Coherent African Response to Illicit Financial Flows, Corruption and Natural Resources Management” will be held on 19th July, 2024 at the Kempinski Hotel, Accra, Ghana.
This disclosure is contained in a joint press statement signed by the organisers – Ms. Souad Aden-Osman, Executive Director of the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA) and Head of Secretariat of the African Union High Level Panel on IFFs from Africa; Mr. William Carew, Principal Coordinator and Head of Secretariat, African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC), and Ms. Charity Hanene Nchimunya, Executive Secretary of the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC).
The organisers explained that this year’s Citizens Forum is part of the determined and continued efforts to consolidate Africa’s response against illicit financial flows, democratic decline and corruption.
The statement reads, “This year’s forum will highlight democracy and institutional resilience, consisting of six plenaries and three thematic sessions. The Forum will see more than 500 participants from all over Africa.”
“With one of the thematic sessions focusing on illicit financial flows, corruption and natural resources management, CoDA is collaborating with AU ECOSOCC and AUABC to highlight continental processes, instruments and challenges for containing illicit outflows, corruption and unfair extraction of natural resources.“
The session will shed light on the progress that Africa has made in the last nine years, since the publication of the Mbeki Report, and recent steps taken, such as the endorsement by African Heads of State of the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR), the adoption of the UN Declaration on Global Tax Reform, and ongoing reforms of the international financial institutions (IFIs). Further, the session will look into the journey since the launching of the African Mining Vision (AMV).”
The Head of Secretariat of AU High Level Panel on IFFs from Africa, Ms. Souad Aden-Osman disclosed that the scourge of illicit financial flows had remained and also had become more pressing since the publication of a comprehensive assessment of the state, magnitude, channels, and impact of illicit financial flows (IFFs) from Africa by the Thabo Mbeki-led-AU High Level Panel.
She stated, “Although Africa has come a long way since then, the need to create the necessary policy, institutional, and legal instruments to contain the scourge of IFFs remains and is even becoming more pressing.”
Latest reports by different institutions show that IFFs from Africa has actually increased to close to 100 billion USD per annum, with a large part of it coming from commercial activities. And the extractives sector, which contributes around 70% of Africa’s intermediate exports, sits at the centre of the problem.
She added, “Africa’s recent efforts for a coordinated and coherent response to IFFs include the adoption by the African Union Assembly of the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR) in 2020, the 2022 UN resolution on global tax reform, and to a certain extent, the ongoing reform of the international financial institutions (IFIs).”
Mr William Carew of AU ECOSOCC noted, “as African countries fully participate in and/or take leadership in these critical processes, it will be prudent for African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), community-based organisations, and citizens to support the continental and global endeavours.”
Ms. Charity Hanene Nchimunya of AUABC, on her part, highlighted that the thematic session of the Citizens Forum would provide stakeholders with up-to-date information regarding Africa’s stance on global tax negotiations, the state of implementation of CAPAR at national, regional, and global levels, as well as exchange views on the progress made in implementing the African Mining Vision (AMV).
Dr McBride Nkhalamba, Acting Director for Governance and Specialized Reporting at the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), stated that his organization is in the process of initiating a programme to monitor the state of natural resources governance in the continent.
Among other things, the programme will take stock of the findings of the Mechanism’s flagship reports and related research towards monitoring the processes and impacts arising from IFFs.
As such, the event will strengthen APRM’s potential to serve as Africa’s unique tool for the continuous monitoring of IFFs from Africa.
Expected to make presentations at the Africa’s Citizens Forum are the Head of Governance and Human Rights, African Union Commission for Political Affairs Peace and Security (AUC-PAPS), Mr. Issaka Garba, and the Coordinator of Third World Network (TWN), Dr. Yao Graham.
Among the panel of discussants are Members of the African Union High Level Panel, Hon. Irene Ovonji-Odida and Barrister Akere Muna, and a representative of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission of Nigeria, Ms. Ruqayyah Ibrahim.
Olasunmibo Aboluwade
The Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has been appointed as Speaker following the impeachment of her boss, Mudashiru Obasa
The lawmakers are accusing Obasa of multiple statutory and financial infractions.
Lasbat who represents Apapa Constituency was a former Whip of the state Assembly.
Details later
Olasunmibo Aboluwade, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday said he had no regrets removing fuel subsidy saying failure to do so would have amounted to the country spending the lives of its future generations.
He also said the landmark tax reforms introduced by his administration has come to stay despite ongoing criticisms by some individuals and groups of people.
He also blamed the organisers of the recent food palliative distribution in some parts of the country that led to the deaths of some children
The President stated these during his first Media Chat aired by major television stations and anchored by Dr. Reuben Abati of the Arise News Channel.
Asked whether he regreted his decision to remove subsidy on petroleum, Tinubu declared that he stood by his action and would never regret doing so.
He said, “We were spending our future, We were spending our generations when we claimed we were giving subsidy to Nigerians on petrol. We were not investing.
“We were just deceiving ourselves. That reform (fuel subsidy removal), is necessary. I could see the small glass crashing back.
“This is the way out. The fact that we give out fuel, allow all the attacks. We cannot spend our future generations’ investment up front.”
Asked if he thinks the removal should have been done in phases, Tinubu said it would have worked that way
He said, “Please, no matter how you cut it or you slice it in segments, you stay out of the middle of the deal. So cut your coat, stick it to your side. It’s what we have to manage.
“We have no choice but to pull the handbrake. Otherwise, we are headed for slippery slopes. That could result in financial disaster, not just for us, but our children and grandchildren. Where is the inheritance? Where is the pathway to prosperity?
The President, who cracked a joke about one of his friends have stopped driving limousine cars since the fuel subsidy was removed, urged Nigerians to live within their means.
On the controversial tax bills, President Tinubu said the reform in the nation’s tax administration has come to stay.
He said, “Tax reform is here to stay. We cannot just continue to do what we were doing yesteryears into this economy.
“We cannot retool this economy with the old broken boat. I believe I have that capacity (to govern this country) I believe so.
“ That’s why I went into the race. I have focus, lots of focus, on what Nigeria needs and what I must do for Nigeria.
“It’s just not going to be El Dorado for everybody. But the new dawn is here. I’m convinced.
“You should be convinced. You (the Media) should help propagate that conviction.”
Tinubu scored high with the results already being recorded by his administration based on the economic reforms already being implemented.
He said, “When you look at the petroleum revenue, I can tell you, pushed me to my brag mode. In the last three months, I’m not taking a penny from the NNPC before I meet my other obligations.
“That’s excellent. That’s excellent. I repeat, without falling back to the old order, without going into ways and means, I’ve met all obligations.
Tinubu refused to speak on the Value Added Tax component of the tax reforms when asked to make some comments on it.
He said, “Why do you want to know that today? Tax matters are subject of debates, reviews, negotiations, not huge concessions. That’s all I’m going to say about that. I don’t mind much energy.”
On the tragic incidents that claimed the lives of many children due to a stampede that followed the distribution of food palliative by some nongovernmental organisations, Tinubu described the development as sad.
He blamed the organisers of those events and warned that anyone or groups who doesn’t have enough palliatives to give should not call many people to a single place.
Tinubu said, “I’ve never experienced this kind of incident, because you have to organize, you have to discipline, and if you don’t have enough to give, don’t attempt to give or publicize it.
“Every society, even in America, they have food banks, they have hungry people, in Britain, they have food banks, they have warehouses, they are organized, they take time to be on the queue and take turns to, to collect.
“ It’s unfortunate, we just have to learn from our past mistakes, it’s a reflection in our bus stops, where we don’t even want to be on queue before we rush into the vehicle.
“It is very sad, but we continue to learn from our mistakes. To me, I see this as a very grave error on the part of the organizers. However it doesn’t kill our happiness, but this shouldn’t be.
General News
Consider Deplorable Sate Of Federal Roads In South-South In 2025 Budget, Clark Tells Tinubu
Olasunmibo Aboluwade, Abuja
Prominent Niger Delta Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has noted with dismay, the poor state of major federal roads in the South-South geopolitical zone and pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on them in the 2025 national Budget.
Clark stated this in an open letter to Tinubu and made available to journalists in Abuja, on Sunday.
Part of the letter read, “As leader of the people of the South-South, I have no choice than to write to you on this matter of critical importance and pain to me and my people.
“That is to bring to your attention the very bad state of roads and links within the South-South zone where the revenue of this country come from.
“I was particularly shocked by the fact that the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), which returned from an official errand recently, came back with unpleasant reports of the poor state of South-South roads.
“The high-powered team attended the funerals of late National Chairman (Worldwide) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Nwanyanwu; former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas and the late wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor (Mrs.) Kemi Eno,
“The PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali and members of the National Executive had to travel around by road and brought to us a very worrying state of affairs on the roads.
“A few examples will give you some perspectives on the situation:
Benin-Auchi Road. Under normal circumstances, this road takes commuters 2½ hours.
“At present, passengers, on the average, spend seven hours on that road. In some cases, it is so bad that travellers had to go through some rural communities in Ekiti state before coming back to the main road.
“Benin-Uromi-Sapele Road: this road which is at the heart of oil production normally takes commuters one hour. At present, its bad condition subject passengers to three to four hours for the trip.
“Sapele-Warri Road: the distance between these two communities is barely 43 kilometres but due to its bad condition, passengers now spend two hours on a journey that is normally about 30 minutes.
“Port Harcourt-Owerri Road: similarly, the road from Port Harcourt to Owerri is a mere distance of 95 kilometres which in the past commuters could arrive at their destination after 1½ hours. Sadly, with so many bad spots, this now require four hours.
“Uyo-Itu-Calabar Road: the road connecting Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State and Calabar, the capital of Cross River State is about 90 kilometres. Until recently, we cover that road in less than 2 hours.
“However, due to the terrible the state of the road at present, the minimum commuters spend on the road is six hours. In fact, our team described it as the worst road in the country due to its state, more so as it is connecting two important states.
“Calabar-Obudu Road: the distance between Calabar to Obudu the hometown of former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas and where he was recently laid to rest is about 316 kilometres.
“I recall, as a politician, that we use to travel in and out of this road in those days in about four hours.
“ With the current situation, those who traverse this road spend between seven to eight hours on the road.
“The East-West Road: the East-West road which connects the entire region was deliberately conceived and commenced during the time of former president Olusegun Obasanjo as a deliberate intervention to assuage the neglect of the oil producing communities.
“Unfortunately succeeding administrations have paid lip service to completing this road.
“ We note that some efforts is being made to repair sections of the road but there is not much work going and the pace of work is slow.
“It is also noted that some of the contractors do not seem to have the competence to handle the nature of work in a complex water logged terrain as the Niger Delta.
“Mr. President, I realise that resources are lean and demands are many; it is however very difficult to understand why roads in the communities that produces the resources that keeps this country going are in such a terrible state.
“It is already very sad that the Niger Delta suffering from decades of environmental damage which would take us many generations to recover from.
“So, to imagine that we cannot commute among ourselves and daily our region produces billions to the national coffers is difficult to fathom.
“At the current production level of 1.8 million barrels per day, which we the leaders of the region working with government have achieved and are still working to increase this,
“It is difficult to understand why the roads in our region should be in this very deplorable condition.
“With oil prices now at US$73 per barrel, we reckon that we are producing enough and we in the Niger Delta cannot be in this condition. What is required to fix the roads is not even up to a week’s production of oil.
“I am writing this passionate appeal to you to declare an emergency in the coming 2025 Budget and also direct your Minister of Works and its relevant agencies to redouble their efforts to repair these roads.”