Text of a Media Briefing
By Executive Secretary Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd) on the State Of the
Nation held in the Conference Room, on 2 September 2015 at 12 00am
Gentlemen of
the Media,
You are once
again welcome to the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC). In our last
interaction, we promised a periodic media briefing with the aim of keeping
Nigerians informed through you. Today’s briefing therefore is in line with our
objective of keeping Nigerians sensitised on issues in our country. The Centre appreciates your time to be here
as our partners.
As we
informed you at the last briefing, a key aspect of the Centre’s operation is
the painstaking monitoring and evaluation of the socio-economic and political
dynamics in our society with a view to identifying areas or issues that could
possibly breed conflict or escalate into crisis situation.
The Centre,
through its early warning signal initiative, proffers proactive strategies
aimed at averting identified potential crisis or mitigating the effects of a
crisis situation. Surely, surmounting the numerous daunting security challenges
confronting us as a nation calls for regular counsel.
The Centre
therefore notes the following developments in our country and strategies to
address them.
Fight against corruption
The Centre
supports the current government’s fight against corruption and corrupt
practices in Nigeria. The culture of impunity and non-compliance with due
process needs to be checked. The fight is necessary due to the deepening gloom
in the international oil market with prices diving as low as about $40 a
barrel, perhaps the lowest since 1986. Some of you will recall that in Year 2000
Nigeria was ranked as the most corrupt nation in the world by Transparency
International, while in 2001 and 2003 the country ranked second among the most
corrupt in the world. These underscore the imperative for the fight against
corruption. Indeed, according to Transparency International, Nigeria was placed
144th out of 174 ranked countries in 2013 and 136th in 2014.
The Centre
acknowledges the considerable impetus in the fight against corruption,
especially at the Federal level. Of particular interest to the Centre is the
strategic directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to Ministries, Departments
and Agencies of Federal Government to start using Treasury Single Account
(TSA). The TSA being a unified structure of government bank account enables
better control and optimal utilisation of government revenue.
The Centre
believes strongly that this is a step in the right direction capable of ending
leakages of revenues meant for the federation account. There are signs that the
measure is so far paying up. Although some few elements in the society are
averse to the current drive, the Centre wants to urge the Federal Government
not to be distracted in its resolve to tackle corruption. As obtainable in other parts of the world,
Nigerians especially those in position of authority must remember that they
will be held accountable for their stewardship. Hence, there is no gainsaying
that transparency and accountability should be observed as the norm rather than
seen as an aberration.
Indeed,
government must as a matter of urgency strengthen all her institutions and
especially the anti-corruption agencies such as Economic and Financial Crime
Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences
Commission (ICPC), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and Code of Conduct
Bureau (CCB).
It is
pertinent to note that corruption is not perpetrated at the federal level
alone, it is also manifest at the states and local government levels. The
Centre therefore is equally urging states and local governments to key into the
fight against corruption at their own levels.
We are all witnesses to the wonton impunity of leaving behind billions
of naira in debts by various state governments to their successors.
While we
support the current fight against corruption, the Centre wants to caution that
due process must be followed to ensure that no one elude the justice system.
Let me at this juncture acknowledge the support of several countries,
especially United States, Britain and China, in the current drive against
corruption and corrupt practices in Nigeria.
Flooding Menace
The menace
of Flooding is a big disaster waiting to happen annually in different parts of
the nation every rainy season. Although flood menace is not strange to Nigeria,
what is, perhaps, strange is the apathy and apparent indifference with which
flood related warnings have been treated over the years. There have been
predictions and warnings about heavy rainfall this year by the Nigeria
Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and possible incidence of flood in several parts
of the country. This was confirmed by the crisis alert issued by NEMA to state
governments and communities along River Benue of possible flood between July
and November, especially following information on the plans by Cameroonian
authorities to release excess water from the Lagdo Dam.
Given the
destructive socio-economic impact of flood, it is critical that mitigating and
attenuating measures be put in place to forestall the flood and the resultant
consequences. It is precarious to rather wait for floods to happen and deal
with the aftermath instead of taking necessary precautionary steps that will
minimize its devastating effects.
It would be
recalled that in 2012, following the sudden bursts of the Cameroonian and
Guinean dams coupled with the heavy rainfall experienced between May and
September, over 20 states in the federation were affected by flood waters. Yet
it did not come without a warning. The consequence of the flood then was that
by 5 November, 2012, over 363 people had died as a result of the flood with
about 2 million people displaced. The states most affected then were Adamawa,
Taraba, Plateau, Benue, Bayelsa, Kogi, Niger, Lagos Cross Rivers, Rivers and
several others. Of course the flood destroyed properties worth billions of
naira, dislocated many families from their homes, destroyed farmlands,
businesses, polluted water resources and even increased risks of diseases. As a result, the country suffered from land
and gully erosion, huge economic losses such as food shortages and spiraling
prices even in unaffected areas
The Centre
strongly believes there is the need for more pragmatic efforts by the Federal
Government over the danger posed by the annual ritual of releasing excess water
by Cameroon. While their action impacts negatively on Nigeria and its citizens,
yet we will never be able to avert this threat without construction of a dam to
contain the excess water. Indeed, the menace of flooding is a big threat to our
national security and therefore an opportunity cost. We must not wait until it is too late before
action is taken.
Meanwhile,
the Centre is exhorting concerned states and local governments as well as
communities to take heed of NIMET and NEMA warnings and ensure proper
urbanization planning, adequate drainage facilities and the stoppage of
erecting buildings in flood plains which contribute substantially to exacerbate
the effect of flood when they occur.
Beyond the Camps for Internally Displaced
Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria
Sequel to
the on-going efforts to bring to an end to the current insurgency in the North-Eastern
part of Nigeria, the obvious direct consequence is the pitiful condition of the
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The CCC undertook an assessment visit to a
number of IDP camps in the North East in order to establish a clearer picture
of the situation in various IDPs camps scattered across the country. The visits
afforded the Centre opportunity to critically evaluate the humanitarian efforts
of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), International bodies, NGOs and
Civil Society groups.
Records
available to the Centre reveals that at present there are 27 official Camps
coordinated by NEMA where internally displaced persons are managed in Nigeria
comprising the following: 16 camps in Borno State, 4 camps in Adamawa State, 4
camps in Yode State, 1 camp in Edo State, 1 camp in FCT and 1 camp in Plateau
states.
There are
also other internally displaced persons in Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba States who
are not necessarily in the camps but are sheltered by relations, friends and are also desirous of assistance from the
government and its partner agencies.
According to
NEMA, the breakdown of the number of IDPs across the North-Eastern states is as
follows: Borno State – 1,002,437; Yode State – 125,484, Adamawa – 113,437,
Bauchi -76,504; Gombe – 16, 984 and Taraba – 20, 501.
CCC findings
from the assessment visit indicated need for better coordinated response at the
federal, states and local governments, their various agencies together with
donor agencies and NGOs. There is also urgent need to complement governments’
efforts aimed at bringing succor to IDPs through our common humanity from the
well do Nigerians. For example, CCC
visit to WTC camp in Maiduguri, Borno State, which houses a total of 6,139 IDPs
made up of 2,518 female children, 1,464 male children and 2,157 female adults
displaced in December 2013 from Bama Local Government. The sad thing about this camp is that 45% of
the children in this camp are orphans while 80% of the women are widows. Similarly,
visit to Yerwa male camp noted a population of 5,175 comprising of 3,468 adult
male, 1,573 boys below the age of 18. Our common humanity calls for more
support from all men and women in our country to rise up towards assisting the
people in the IDPs with additional material and logistic support in form of
provision of social amenities like clinics, schools, bed space, and lavatory
facilities among others.
While we
commend the efforts of several NGOs and CSOs who have offered valuable
material, spiritual and psychological assistance to the IDPs, we want to
specifically acknowledge the efforts of NEMA in not only providing the
necessary facilities at the camps but also constantly monitoring to ensure
these essential materials are continued to be provided.We also wants to
acknowledge the efforts of the military in providing security at the camps and especially in establishing a
a full fledged hospital in Maiduguri for the displaced persons.
The Centre
also noted that there are other internally displaced persons who are not
necessarily in the camps rather are sheltered by relations, friends or kind
hearted folks. These categories of people are also desirous of assistance from
the government agencies, NGOs and the public.
CCC believes
however that beyond the provision of succor at the IDP camps which are
temporary relief measures, there is the need for a more permanent arrangement
to be put in place immediately towards the resettlement of the IDPs back in
their Communities. This predicates
against the likelihood that the insurgency would end within the three month
deadline given to the military to end the stand-off. The funds mobilized in
support of the victims by government such as those under General TY Danjuma and
even more recently by the management of the Daily Trust and other ones could be
harnessed to kick-start the process.
In this this regard, the Centre recommends
as follows:
i. Affected states and the
Federal Government should begin to work out programmes and modalities towards
permanent resettlement of the people in these camps so that the families could
be reintegrated back to the communities and the society to pursue their normal
livelihood.
ii. The reconstruction of towns
and communities destroyed by the insurgents should commence immediately.
iii. Friendly countries and
international agencies including United States, UK, China, Germany, World Bank,
etc that made promises to assist in rebuilding of affected towns and
communities should be encouraged to redeem their pledges to enable accelerated
reconstruction works.
iv. Post-crisis and post-trauma
programmes should be established by government and aid agencies for the
displaced people preparatory to their full reintegration into the society.
On Fight against Boko Haram
The Centre
has noted the resort to soft targets for bombing by some elements of the
terrorist group using hapless young women and children. Seldom is direct
confrontation between the insurgents and the troops are reported these days.
What this means therefore is that the time now calls for more intelligence
gathering and sharing by all and sundry. Citizens must remain security
conscious and vigilant, especially in public places like markets, schools and
worship centers and be able report any lead to the nearest security forces.
On the
possibility of negotiation as we intimated in the last briefing, the Centre
wishes to state that nothing has changed so far and all options are still open.
In any case, negotiation or not, we urge the military to continue in their
operations until the mission is achieved.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, the Centre wants to reiterate its firm support to the fight against
corruption and the need to refocus our public and private sectors to the ideal
ways of good service delivery to the public. Transparency and accountability
should remain the hallmark of public service and no one should be allowed to
short-change Nigerians due to personal interest. Our national institutions especially the
anti-graft agencies need to be strengthened to perform their statutory
functions in the country. The challenges posed by perennial flooding in several
parts of the Nigeria need both immediate and more comprehensive approach at the
community, state and federal levels. Similarly, the IDPs need a
multi-dimensional and proactive Marshal plan to not only continue to cater for
them now, but also to resettle them back in their communities permanently. Once again, I thank you all.
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