Nigeria appears to have come full-cycle with the unprecedented rise in insecurity and related issues even as it is generating huge backlash within and outside the country despite commitment of humongous funds in the name of security intervention.
Of concern is the international dimension the nation’s insecurity is taking as the United States of America’s, USA, is preparing to take on terrorists in the country, after declaring Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern. It is after that we perceive some semblance of seriousness to tackle the greatest threat of the moment.
Several responses to express readiness to tackle the insecurity challenges are beginning to situate from various obvious government responses.
One such move is coming from the nation’s green chamber which is ready to tackle the issue of increasing challenges despite enormous funding to tackle insecurity. It is worrisome that despite supposed increasing funding over the years by the government there is relatively less results to justify the investments.
Concerns among stakeholders have indeed jolted the nation’s green chamber to launch a probe into all security intervention funds disbursed by the Federal Government from 2020 to date. It is heartwarming that the House of Representatives has risen to the occasion and vowed to ensure transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in the management of resources meant to protect Nigerians.
Given the zeal exhibited by the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Expenditure of All Intervention Funds on Security, Honourable Zakaria Nyampa at the inauguration of the committee at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, it is reassuring that the committee would do a good job.
Although he noted that there were not going to be cover ups in the assignment, it is hoped that doggedness from the would be dipped by ‘powerful interests’ who may want to undermine or influence the work of the committee.
It is preposterous that there has been a widening gap between huge budgetary allocations to the security sector and the continuing wave of insecurity across the country.
On a note that is re-assuring, we commend the Committee’s Chair who emphasised that: “This is not a witch-hunt but ensure that every naira released for security serves its purpose to safeguard lives and property. We will cover all intervention heads, special allocations, and procurement processes undertaken by beneficiary agencies. The Committee will also assess the impact of the spending on security outcomes across Nigeria. “We are determined to follow the money with diligence, objectivity, and patriotism”.
It is reinforcing that the committee promised to guarantee credibility and openness, and pledged to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office, Office of the National Security Adviser, defence and police authorities, as well as the EFCC, ICPC, and civil society watch dogs such as BudgIT, CISLAC, and SERAP.
“When money meant to secure our nation is diverted, the cost is not just in naira and kobo, it’s in human lives. We owe it to Nigerians to get this right”, he said, assuring that the Committee’s report will help strengthen security governance and restore public trust.
Although, the move by the House appears to be coming somewhat ‘late’, it is better than never at all.
It is disturbing that despite layers of checks and the so-called procurement policies which outline guidelines for MDAs, these organisations still circumvent them in manners that suggest some untoward intentions. The MDAs bend rules amid a weak regulatory enforcement to achieve their penchant for sleaze.
The committee must go beyond sighting documents as is common in such investigative processes in the nation to physical examination of the equipment supposedly acquired and how relevant they are to the common interest as it affects insecurity. The nation has for too long been burdened by sundry matters of insecurity with thousands of lives lost. It would therefore be morally indefensible to handle the assignment with reckless disposition. It is a call to patriotic service which must be seen as such.
With this fresh focus on security intervention funds, AljazirahNigeria reiterates that there should be no-holds-barred in scrutinising these substantial funds that appear to have gone down the drain.
