NACS committee members urged not to compromise, as stakeholders decry low compliance to FoI Act

Newly inaugurated members of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E) on the Implementation of the National Anti- Corruption Strategy, 2017- 2021 (NACS), have been charged not to compromise in discharge of their national assignment, rather, to ensure that they work strictly according to the mandate given to them as enshrined in the Action Plan (AP) of the strategy.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Salami, gave the charge during the just ended capacity training and maiden meeting of the members organized and funded by the European Union and managed by the British Council through the Rule of Law and Anti Corruption (RoLAC), held in Abuja.

Represented by the Chairman Technical Committee on the Implementation of the NACS, Ladidi Bara’atu, Salami commended the organisers in driving NACS, urging the M and E members to monitor and assess thoroughly the over 800 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA), they have been mandated to within the stated period.

Speaking, the RoLAC’s Consultant, Ada Chidi -Igbokwe and the Anti Corruption Component Manager of RoLAC, Emma Uche, recalled the global attachment to the M and E committee members, pointed out the need for them to use the platform to eradicate corruption in the country.

Also, stakeholders at the training expressed worry over the lack of interest of Nigerians on the use of the Act, which was signed into law in May 28, 2011.

The Anti- Corruption Component Manager of the Rule of Law (RoLAC), of European Union and British Council arm, Emmanuel Uche; Chairman, Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria, Walter Chike Duru; Programme Officer, RoLAC, Pwanakei Dala, and other participants who spoke, regretted that despite increased level of sensitization and campaign programmes, compliance and interest level have remained low.