Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says Nigeria\u2019s low
\nrating on the Transparency International (TI) corruption perception
\nindex is due to certain gaps in the provision and analyses of data
\nbetween the country and the anti-corruption agency.<\/p>\n
While briefing newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting
\npresided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja,
\nthe minister stated that the government looked into the ratings and made
\ncertain discoveries that show why the low rating has continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe took the ratings seriously, so we actually went to analyze the
\nratings, and we found that there have been some gaps; either we have not
\nforwarded enough data or they have not analysed such data.<\/p>\n
The spokesman further revealed that the government found it strange that
\nthe country\u2019s rating has remained the same for a period of 10years.<\/p>\n
He however noted that the authorities are taking remedial measures so
\nthey can get the data in respect of those sectors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that it is not possible for you not to improve, for you not
\nto lose points for 10years. There is a bit of discrepancy\u201d Lai Mohammed
\nstressed.<\/p>\n
Mr Mohammed argued that the issue of TI\u2019s low ranking of the country was
\nnot necessarily about stealing of public funds, arguing that the
\nassessment has so far not correctly reflected the government\u2019s effort to
\ncurb graft in the country.<\/p>\n
The minister observed that there are some inconsistencies in the ranking
\nby the global body over the years due to inadequate data, noting however
\nthat reforms are in the works to see that the nation\u2019s corruption
\nperception would improve.<\/p>\n
In alluding to past rankings, Mr. Mohammed said it was realized that the
\nnation was scored very low in the area of ease of doing business in
\nparticular.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why the Federal Government embarked on reforms, especially at
\nthe seaports. That is one area where we scored very low and you\u2019ll see
\nthat in recent times, we\u2019ve embarked on numerous reforms at our seaports
\nso that our rating will improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, we are putting more emphasis on the preventive mechanism
\nof corruption rather than prosecution. The preventive mechanism that
\nwe\u2019ve put in place include the National Ethics Policy launched by the
\nICPC to address integrity issues in all sectors of the polity and is
\ndirectly linked to the pillar of the national anti-corruption strategy,\u201d
\nthe minister stated.<\/p>\n
He added that \u201cthe Code of Conduct Bureau has put in place some
\npreventive measures, especially in the area of energizing the code of
\nconduct for public officers<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Council for Ease of Doing Business recently launched the Nigerian
\nPorts Process manual to hasten the processing of goods at the ports.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says Nigeria\u2019s low rating on the Transparency International (TI) corruption perception index is due to certain gaps in the provision and analyses of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":79324,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n