Wednesday, November 18, 2020 / 10:29 AM /Ottoabasi Abasiekong for WebTV /Header Image Credit: Twitter; @WebTVng

TheSimplification of Government processes that removes bottlenecks and bureaucracywill go a long way in effectively managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemicon Nigeria. Africa's most populous nation. This was part of the key takeawaysfrom the hybrid forum (physical and virtual) of the Socio-Economic Rights andAccountability Project (SERAP) that discussed a "10-Point Programme of Actionon Promoting Transparency and Accountability In COVID-19 Spending In Nigeria".

Theroundtable brought together stakeholders from civil society groups, publicofficials, the media, professionals and concerned citizens.

Givingthe opening remarks at the event, Deputy Director of SERAP, Mr. KolawoleOluwadare, said the roundtable was an opportunity to assess the impact of the '10-Point Programme of Action on Promoting Transparency and Accountability inCOVID 19 Spending' the civil society group created on the 10^th ofJune, 2020'.

Accordingto Oluwadare, it was time to also evaluate the way the COVID-19 palliativeshave been managed and distributed across the nation.

"The10-point programme of action is a collaboration between SERAP, ICPC(IndependentCorrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission), BPP(Bureau ofPublic Procurement) and the Office of the Accountant General of theFederation," he said.

Alsospeaking at the event, Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni informedstakeholders that SERAP is involved in three levels of engagements in itsactivities which include; advocacy, publications and filing cases in courtsthat revolve around transparency, good governance, anti-corruption andaccountability from public institutions.

Keynotespeaker at the event, Professor Yemi Akinseye George, SAN, lauded SERAP on itsinterventions in the public policy space in the country. He highlighted thefact that it has in partnership with other key civil society groups pressurizedthe Nigerian authorities to develop transparency frameworks that cover thefollowing;

• Framework on delivering a transparent food ration distribution for the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme
• Framework for the Management of COVID 19 Funds in Nigeria under the Treasury Single Account, TSA by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
• Guidelines for the Conduct of Procurement that respond to COVID 19 and
• The Accountability and Transparency Mechanisms for Delivering Cash by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

Thelegal scholar also described the 10-points identified by SERAP as appropriateand pragmatic in achieving efficient management of the COVID-19 pandemic, whichinclude;

• Condemning Corruption and Mismanagement/Investigate and Prosecute All Allegations of Corruption
• Ensure Access to Information
• Adopt and Implement Fiscal and Budgetary Policies to Improve Socio-Economic Rights of Nigerians
• Obey the Rule of Law
• Ensure Openness of Public Procurement
• Reduce Salaries And Allowances of Public Officials
• Encourage Citizens' Complaints On Corruption And Follow Up on Complaints
• Respect, Protect and Promote Human Rights for Everyone
• Ensure Civil Society Participation creates opportunities for all citizens to make inputs in the fiscal and distributive processes in response to COVID-19.
• Engage Bilateral, Regional and International Partners on strengthening accountability and transparency mechanisms in government.

Ina panel session that discussed "Government Transparency framework in responseto COVID-19: Challenges and future perspective" moderated by Mr. Ayo Makinde ofChannels Television, the discussants Prof. Yemi Akinseye George, SAN, Mr. YemiCandide-Johnson, SAN Arbitrator with Strachan Partners, Mr. Lanre Suraj, andMrs. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Chairperson Victims Support Fund, VSF sharedperspectives on how there can be significant improvements in governance andstrategy.

Mr.Yemi Candide-Johnson, SAN believed the COVID 19 pandemic was an opportunity forNigeria to reset governance and the framework/principles guiding the nation.

Hecalled for more investment in education that will address the wide gap ofinequality and improve human capital development in the country.

Mr.Lanre Suraj an Anti-Corruption activist called for an increased level ofaccountability in governance in the country, especially the 'Open TreasuryPortal' of the Federal Government, which he admitted was not transparent at themoment.

Mrs.Toyosi Akerele -Ogunsiji of the Victims Support Fund, on her part, said thefirst level of interventions across 12 states in the country revealed thedeep-seated inequality and poverty in Nigeria.

Shemade a strong case for addressing the artificial bureaucratic bottlenecks inthe government which- slows the pace of response to the COVID 19 pandemic.Speaking further, she emphasized the need for simplified levels ofcommunication with the citizens on COVID 19 prevention, which the VSF createdguides covering languages in the country.

Accordingto Professor George, the violence that accompanied the #EndSARS protests in thecountry showed the level of discontent of youths and their frustration with thenarrow band of economic opportunities available to them.

Hecalled on the government and political elites to do everything possible toaddress the yearnings of Nigeria's youth as the high level of domesticunemployment was an issue of national concern that needs to be systematicallyand strategically addressed.

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