CNSAC demands investigation of local government Chairmen
The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), a coalition of over hundred and fifty Anti- corruption organisations has called on the Code of Conduct Bureau to investigate the activities of the Chairmen of Surulere Local Government Area, Itire-Ikate LCDA, Yaba LCDA, Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA and Agege Local Government Area.
Referring to a recent publication in some Nigerian dailies, on the inexplicable personal economic change experienced by some local government officials, the group whose primary objective is to combat corruption and ensure the effective monitoring of Anti-graft agencies, lamented this radical transformation in the lifestyle of these officials within months of assumption of office.
In its petition to the bureau, signed by the Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the group maintained that the primary Justification for the creation and continued existence of local governments is to ensure that development gets to the grassroots. They drew attention to the plight and conditions of communities under these LGAs and LCDAs, arguing that the mysterious transformation in the lifestyle of these Chairmen, was a definite ground for investigation.
“Where these local government officials and their families have experienced inexplicable personal economic change, the communities they claim to represent are left in worse conditions than they met them,” CSNAC stated in its petition.
It was further noted that the expenditures from their newly acquired wealth; collected and gathered within a very short time, was never commensurate with their salaries and allowances.
“The situations are made worse with the abandonment of their primary communities and disconnection with the people they serve,” it stated.
The group cited Section 11 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officer, which states as follows;
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every public officer shall within three months after the coming into force of this Code of Conduct or immediately after taking office and thereafter –
(a) At the end of every four years; and
(b) At the end of his term of office, submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his properties, assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.
(3) any property or assets acquired by a public officer after any declaration required under this Constitution and which is not fairly attributable to income, gift or loan approved by this Code shall be deemed to have been acquired in breach of this Code unless the contrary is proved.
They urged the Code of Conduct Bureau to live up to its responsibilities, stating, “we are demanding an action of your Bureau in the investigation of the mentioned Chairmen, as the body charged with this responsibility, must be seen to carry out its duties.”
The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) is a network of civil society organisations which work on corruption issues.
These organisations operate on the principles of an open and democratic society; based on human dignity, equality and freedom. They hold on to the belief that combating corruption is important to achieve democracy and social justice.
By: Theodora Kio-Lawson