Opinion I Payroll Palaver And ICT Perspective

PAYROLL PALAVER AND ICT PERSPECTIVE

          

The last time I checked, the Nigerian civil service system was still deeply bedeviled by a cankerworm known as ‘ghost workers’. The syndrome, which isn’t peculiar to the federal level, is indeed ubiquitous that no certain level/unit of government is exempted whenever its scourge is being discussed. Funnily enough, the anomaly has lingered that anyone could insinuate that it’s a norm.

         

Two years ago, precisely on Thursday, 5^th May 2016, during the meeting between federal ministries and Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) in Lagos State as organized by the Minister of Information and Culture – Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun categorically disclosed that the ongoing N165 billion monthly salaries cum allowances of federal civil servants was over-bloated, thus could no longer be sustained by the Federal Government (FG).

         

Mrs. Adeosun who was speaking on the economy reform agenda of the present administration, stated that the said fund represented about forty percent (40%) of the total spending made by the FG. According to her, the figure was outrageous; hence, government was pursuing aggressive measures towards detecting as well as prosecuting ghost workers and other saboteurs in the system.

        

She landed with a mind-boggling revelation that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), which wasn’t fully functional, still had names of about ten thousand (10,000) workers on its payroll regularly serviced by the FG’s coffers.

         

In a related development, in the same 2016, over a huge sum of N4 billion fraud was reportedly discovered in Aso Rock, the Nigeria’s Seat of Power. The discovery was made by President Muhammadu Buhari’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Major Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd). Aside his alleged shocking discovery, which was made after a general security auditing and verification exercise ordered by Mr. President, the NSA further disclosed that  names of twenty-nine (29) ghost security personnel had been on security payroll in the Presidency over the years.

        

The various states and LGAs across the federation aren’t exceptional. On Thursday, 26^th May 2016, the Bayelsa State government said it had uncovered payroll fraud in the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), with the discovery of over 765 illicitly employed teachers in the existing eight local government councils in the state. According to the report, names of fifty (50) dead teachers were equally found on the payroll of Ogbia Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) alone.

         

In spite of the thus far war against corrupt practices or graft invented by the Buhari-led government since inception, the payroll of most government MDAs, and even that of the pensioners, at various levels are still presently influenced by the enemies of the society. This very societal ill, if not aptly tackled, is liable to degenerate into a colossal economic damage in no distant time.  

         

It baffles me that at this age, Nigeria is still lagging behind as regards Information and Communications Technology (ICT). We can’t continue indulging ourselves in retrogressive issues in an era when ICT or Hi-Tech has succeeded in simplifying everything, or unraveling every mystery related to information. Most times I wonder; is it that Nigeria cannot afford the services of IT, or that she can’t boast of or source for the required IT personnel?

        

The answer, of course, is No. Nigeria can afford all of the above. Her plight ab initio, has been lack of orientation and corruption. The people she had had in positions of authority refused to be convinced that ICT is the only way forward concerning the lingering payroll palaver in the country, perhaps owing to lack of political will occasioned by corruption. However, we are intensely glad the current administration apparently detests graft profusely.

          

As the President Buhari–led administration is interested in getting it right, it must acknowledge that obtaining a comprehensive database for all the federal workers is long overdue. Such measure can only be actualized via a forensic approach. To this end, a special unit/department must be created by law under the Ministry of Finance. The proposed unit is subject to be manned by well qualified and reliable IT experts; and no one ought to have access to the department, except its staff and the director/HOD.

        

Additionally, an agency comprising thoroughly scrutinized individuals ought to be set up by law to monitor or oversee the day-to-day activity of the department. The agency would ascertain whenever a worker dies or retires, as the case may be, among other likely events, and thereafter ensure that the record is duly implemented by the unit. Moreover, from time-to-time through their oversight functions, the federal legislators should invite the members, particularly the chairman, of the agency to keep them abreast of happenings.

        

For the above unit to function tactically and properly, every federal MDA must equally boast of a competent and reliable IT unit that would regularly update that of the Finance Ministry being the umbrella body, on matters relating to employment, death, retirement, expulsion, retrenchment, or what have you; the said agency would assist in monitoring the genuineness and adequacy of the aforementioned cooperation. For efficiency’s sake, the unit must engage a viable and reliable software consulting firm toward ensuring holistic update of its software maintenance.

        

The above measure ought to as well be replicated on the part of payment of pensions and gratuities. And, the various state governments ought to, on their part, endeavour to borrow a leaf from the overall proposed approach. It’s arguably time we fully embraced ICT towards enjoying forever. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

___________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador

Opinion I On Did We Get To This Point?

HOW DID WE GET TO THIS POINT?

       

The last time I checked, Imolites could apparently be described as ‘enemies’ of Imo, the Eastern Heartland. They were seen as those who do not wish the state well.

       

The above assertion was informed by the outcome of what transpired two weeks ago, precisely on Friday, 8^th June 2018. It’s not anymore news that at the night of the aforementioned date, a natural disaster befell the state owing to the unusual wind that blew therein.

        

As a result of that natural phenomenon, several completed buildings – including private and public owned ones – were severely ravaged. In particular, the roofing segment of the affected structures was outrightly detached from the block segment, thereby throwing the various roofing materials to the floor.

        

In some quarters, the main erected structures were equally damaged alongside the roof. But it was deeply painful that most government owned buildings were among those that were seriously affected. Or would I say; most of the structures affected belong to the state government.

        

Ironically, rather than being in sober mood as was rationally expected, thousands of Imolites were seen in their numbers jubilating as well as popping Champagne over the ordeal that visited the state. In some areas, I overheard from the misled citizens that the Governor, Rochas Okorocha had gotten what he deserved.

         

When I caught the sight of the uncalled celebration, I could not help but continued to wonder how exactly we got to this point. I had since then been making frantic effort to fathom what actually led to this scenario. The thoughtful mood I found myself resulted in insomnia, which till now is yet to depart from my system.

        

Doesn’t it sound ridiculous and crazy that a certain state was faced with crisis and instead of being touched by the ugly and unspeakable incident, the citizens were spotted throwing party over the occurrence? Isn’t it untold that my fellow citizens were gloating over a bad omen that arrived at the Eastern Heartland?

         

It’s even more saddening when realized that the jubilation was to witch-hunt the sitting governor, or to hurt his feelings. I wonder why they could think that the incident in question affected only the governor, forgetting that government is a continuum. I wonder why it didn’t occur to them that if the next governor of the state inherits bad properties, its consequence would be to the detriment of the state’s resources. Rescue Mission will surely go someday and another one will come.

        

It was really disheartening that the gloat over the ill was occasioned by the hatred some of the citizens bear for the sitting governor. State owned structures were damaged and we were acting as if the ravaged properties are Okorocha’s. We acted as if the buildings in question belong to the Okorocha dynasty. For crying out loud, we were on the contrary supposed to be deeply sad concerning the anomaly considering that it was an injury to all, and not to one as wrongly perceived.

        

Those structures were erected with the aid of the tax payers’ money, hence the need to see them as our collective belongings rather than personal possessions. We must note that the funds that could have been channeled into other meaningful projects would be used in repairing the damaged structures.

        

Come to think of it; even if the affected properties belong to Governor Okorocha, did the incident call for celebration in any way? Even if we are enemies to the number one citizen, were we meant to give thanksgiving over his downfall? We really need to be guided over how we parade our pattern of politicking to avoid attracting the wrath of God.

        

Those who know me too well can attest to the fact that I’m not one of Okorocha’s fans and had never been, neither am I in any of his camps, but the gospel truth is that we seriously need to be rational and logical while reacting to events.

        

It’s totally preposterous and evil to rejoice over the downfall of anyone irrespective of our relationship with him/her let alone the sitting governor of our dearly beloved state. It’s indeed high time we stopped mixing politics with governance just to achieve our cheap political goals.

        

Another controversy trailing the incident was that inferior building materials were used during the construction of those affected structures. As a tech expert, I’m not unaware that wind effect is meant to be considered before designing any proposed building, hence the need for the government not to see such a criticism as ill-advised or destructive but constructive. In view of this, I implore the government to comprehend that public buildings are in question, thus their construction ought not to be equated with those meant for private usage.

        

The funny part of the criticism was that so many other private owned structures were ravaged in the process but it was reported as if only government properties were affected by the wind. That was a very wrong and unbalanced analysis. However, the bone of contention is that people presently no longer pay attention to the kind of materials to be purchased in the course of erecting any structure, be it private or public. It’s not news that contractors carryout any project according to how they are funded.

         

In accordance with the appraised facts, I urge the Rescue Mission to use this opportunity to ensure that every building erected, or to be built, by the government can stand the test of time as I enjoin it not to be deterred by the natural disaster. The private owners or prospective landlords ought to equally follow suit. In the same vein, as we address the properties that were variously affected, let’s ensure that only the needed materials are engaged.

        

So, as we immensely thank God that the disaster didn’t occur during school or office hours, I want to let my fellow Imolites realize that it’s time they desisted from involving themselves in uncalled thoughts or actions. Think about it!

Fred Doc Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador            

Nyame's Sentence And Nigeria's Judiciary

NYAME’S SENTENCE AND NIGERIA’S JUDICIARY

       On Wednesday, 30^th May 2018, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja categorically sentenced an erstwhile executive governor of Taraba State, Mr. Jolly Nyame to fourteen years imprisonment owing to fraud.

       It would be recalled that the convicted politician was fiercely charged to court with 41 counts of misconduct by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). But he was eventually found guilty of 27 counts.

       It’s noteworthy that he was sentenced with no option of fine for diverting N1.64 billion while he served as governor between 1999 and 2007. It suffices to say that the charges were placed against his person the moment he bowed out of office.

       The Judge, Adebukola Banjoko sentenced the defendant to four different terms in prison, having found him guilty beyond doubts, of receiving gratification, obtaining public funds without due consideration as well as criminal breach of trust.

       The various sentences include a term of prison for two, five, seven and fourteen years, respectively. According to the judicial custodian, the terms are expected to run simultaneously, meaning he would serve only 14 years in jail unless the conviction is upturned by a court of higher jurisdiction.

       This is arguably a welcome development and a milestone in the history of the Nigeria’s anti-graft war, hence the need for concerned Nigerians to reignite their seeming lost or dying hopes as regards the anticipated outcome of numerous other ongoing criminal prosecutions in the country, even though the convicted person still has the right to appeal the verdict.

        Taking into cognizance the concluding part of the above paragraph, it’s indeed pertinent to enjoin the higher judicial custodians, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, to endeavour not to sweep justice under the carpet if the conviction is consequently brought to their jurisdictions.

       Aside the need to do the needful, they must acknowledge that the prosecution of the case in question conspicuously lingered for eleven years before the verdict was served, thus ought not to uphold such anomaly that has ostensibly become a norm in the country’s judiciary.

        It’s not anymore news that the reason the teeming citizenry have become pessimistic and weary about the acclaimed corruption fight is not unconnected with the prolonged duration of virtually every prosecution being carried out by any supposed court of competent jurisdiction. The unabated existence of the aforementioned menace is unequivocally a harbinger of collapse of our judiciary if apt corrective measure isn’t taken in earnest.

        However, I’m strongly of the view that some clauses were missing, or perhaps silent, in the verdict served to Mr. Nyame by the Abuja High Court. For the conviction to be whole, it would have been accurate for the court to order the outright confiscation of the ill-gotten properties of the former governor. Similarly, he would have been directed to return the squandered or misappropriated funds.

        Since he was sentenced with “no option of fine” as was pronounced by the judge, he wouldn’t have been exempted from refunding the stolen monies or a reasonable percentage of it. It would equally be apt to confiscate the possessions supposedly acquired by the embezzled public funds. These are the clauses that were omitted or silent in the verdict.

        Nevertheless, we mustn’t forget in haste that the judgement couldn’t have come at a better time than now the people are almost giving up on the government in the aspect of war against sharp practices. This implies that there’s need to, at least, put up a sigh of relief at this juncture.

        But, as we celebrate, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that the leadership of the Nigeria’s judiciary ought to be reminded in strong terms that a lot has really gone wrongly in the sector, hence the compelling need to swiftly make amends toward averting the foreseen avoidable decay.

        The conditions of squalor we have abruptly found ourselves could be well eradicated if the various judicial officers begin to comprehend that they aren’t aides of any political office holder but independent officials.

       These gentlemen of the bar and bench must not wait until they are reminded that the country’s extant laws are in their custody before they could start concentrating only on the needful. They shouldn’t wait till their memories are refreshed with the fact that they are expected to strictly interpret the law irrespective of whose ox is gored before they would stop misplacing priorities with frivolities.

        Inter alia, acknowledging that some of these judicial custodians often resort to collection of gratification from indicted individuals or corporate bodies, it’s needless to state that their respective remunerations are meant to be taken seriously by the governments at all levels. As a result of the poor working conditions usually faced by them in different quarters, they end up falling prey to the predators.

        As this rotten tooth is exposed, we must note that several other hidden teeth are fast decaying thus need to equally be expunged from the dental hub before they cause untold damage to the overall system. Think about it!

Comrade Fred Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador