Former minister of finance and minister of National Planning Commission, Shamsuddeen Usman, has advocated for compulsory declaration of assets by all public servants serving at all levels of government, particularly, the legislature and judiciary to institutionalise accountability in the public sector.
Shamsudeen threw the challenge yesterday while coordinating the last session at the just concluded 21stNigerian Economic Summit, in Abuja, on the topic: National Budgeting Framework to aid Competitive, Inclusive Growth and Sustainability.
He said the call became necessary for public servants to make their assets public due to the moral burden on them as servants of the people, particularly at this period of economic downturn in the country.
‘‘I challenge all public servants to join the cue with President Mohammadu Buhari in declaring their assets in this moment of economic difficult facing the nation as a show of their support for anti-corruption.
“I was one of the two ministers that did it under late President Yar’ Adua’s government, including the President himself. I expect all public servants to do the same including the National Assembly if we are serious with the anti-corruption war,’’ he sai.
He further called on the Federal Government to consider early budgeting plan to forestall imminent delay in 2016 budget presentation and legislative consideration, and stressed the need for the planners to do detailed and analytical work on the budget before the public presentation.
‘‘There is need for early budgeting. In US, budget is submitted nine months before legislative consideration and with this, they do not experience difficulties as we do. This will enable government look into all the policy and legal implications before consideration. “Government should start 2017 budget very early at least by March, so that it can carry the National Assembly along, so that by 2017, we will begin to have a proper budget system.
‘‘I think there is need for analytical and strategic framework in budget planning, which I know underpins government actions in the execution of budget. This we must take serious, if we want to get it right.’’
The former minister further charged the organizers of the summit #NSEG to come up with strong statement on anti-corruption war by compelling all its company partners to the United Nations Global Accountability and Pact and Clean Bill Initiative if it hopes to assist government in changing the wrought in the Nigerian system and boosting investors confidence in the system.
‘‘The NESG will be losing opportunity without coming up with a strong statement on asset declaration. That is the kind of expectation from private sector, discouraging member companies to stop taking bribes in doing business.
‘‘I think, what NESG should do is to compel its member companies to sign the UN Global Accountability Pact, particularly the Nigerian business community. Also, they should compel them sign the Clean Bill Initiative as partners. This will boost Nigerian confidence for foreigners wanting to do business in Nigeria,’’ he said.
He challenged the NPC secretary to take the reports to government, as soon as he gets a minister to work with. “Everybody is looking up to government, what is private sector doing to support anti-corruption war. I call for every minister, national assembly members to declare their assets. Though, is not a constitutional requirement but a requirement of morality,” Shamsudeen said.
