Abuja – The Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Mr Peter Akpatason, has stressed on the need for transparency in the implementation of the donor fund by different stakeholders
Akpatason stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a forum on overview of Nigeria transition from MDGs to SDGs: the lessons and recommendation organised by alumni of Institute of Development Studies UK.
The Chairman expressed concern that there have been series of situations whereby fund received from the development partners were not properly channelled to what it meant for.
“We have had the situation where the donor sent the money thinking that the money had gone to where it was expected to be spent on but only to discover that it was not effectively and judiciously used.
“We need to avoid what is one of Federal Government agencies whereby the donor money meant for the benefit for the people was not used in that direction,” he said.
The chairman said that the image of the country was very important in the managing of the fund received from development partners, stressing that “accountability and transparency are very important”.
“At this point in time where Nigeria is experiencing severe development challenges, this is actually the right time for us to refocus on how best to attract attention of development partners and funds,” he said.
He said that this could only be achieved through exhibition of transparency and accountability in the spending of received fund.
He said that this would also enhance Nigeria to achievement of the set mile stone in the SDGs
According to him the committee had tried to interface between the donor agencies, the CSOs and beneficiaries of the fund.
He said this was to avoid a situation whereby the donor would determine what and how to spend the money upon but at the end would not benefit the people.
He expressed the determination of the committee to assist in whatever capacity to achieve the SDGs
“We feel the gap between the donor, CSOs and the people because we see situation where there is sufficient money but was not accessed or judiciously used.
“We also create the platform for the donor and CSO or beneficiaries, “he said.
Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, former Minister of Sports and Youths Development, in his remarks submitted that Nigeria must reduce wastage to achieve the SDGs.
Abdulahi who said that Nigeria problem was more of wastage than corruption also added that there was the need to have accurate data to be able to have right budget for the country.
He called on the Federal Government to evolve a sustainable policy that will turn education system into opportunities that will sustain the economy (NAN)