ON WATCH: Not so fast, Governor

Both federal and state governments continue to claim the Niger Delta amnesty an unequivocal success. Comments to the contrary are swept aside and detractors publicly derided. Questions abound about the payments to militant leaders to induce them to surrender, the payments for weapons, the funding of demobilisation and retraining programmes and funding for community projects.

At a recent summit titled: “Post-Amnesty Confidence Building Measures: Principles, Strategies and Prospect,” sponsored by the Bayelsa State Government in collaboration with the Centre for Alternative Policy Perspectives and Strategy, (CAPPS), Bayelsa State Governor Sylva’s nine page key note address attracted applause from summit participants.

But Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, sounded a sober note when he compared the development of Lagos State with that of Bayelsa State. Bankole’s exhortation to governors of Niger Delta states to judiciously utilise the money they collect from the federal government cast a cloud over Governor Sylva’s brief time in the sun.

The solution, according to Bankole, is good governance and on this point he is absolutely correct. But good governance alone is not enough. Good governance coupled with transparency would propel Nigeria into a new phase of democracy and economic development. But it seems the interests of individuals often overcome the interest of the nation and its citizens.

Warnings against inadequate funding of the amnesty programme have been sounded publicly by a range of prominent Nigerians. Inadequate funding was a significant factor in cutting short the peace achieved through the 2004 Peace Accord. However, sufficient funds alone will not necessarily ensure the delivery of the programmes to demobilise militia and address chronic poverty in Niger Delta communities.

In Bayelsa State in the last week former militant leaders called on the state governments to implement more development projects. Improved quality of life for poverty stricken Niger Delta communities would go a long way to abolishing the basis for militant activity against the government and the oil companies.

The Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives is right in comparing the laudable recent developments of Lagos State with that of Bayelsa State which has little to show for the oil revenues it has received.

Previous governors of Bayelsa State have not left a positive legacy. Mr. Sylva has announced an ambitious development programme. However, merely announcing a feast of potential community projects will not erode the conditions that foster discontent and eventual conflict. Sylva has sufficient time before the next election to demonstrate his commitment to judicious application of state funds with the accompanying transparency and public accountability.

Transparency in revenue flows is a major demand of MEND, the peak militant group. MEND argues that a greater share of the oil revenues should flow to the oil producing states and the flow of the funds should be subject to public scrutiny.

Transparency in the delivery of projects is critical to avoid President Yar’Adua’s amnesty becoming another money making scam for a range of opportunists.

However, even without additional allocation of revenue the economic blight on the Niger Delta would be significantly alleviated if current federal revenues reached their intended destinations. The truth that vast sums are siphoned off is known to all Nigerians.

Achieving transparency in the contracting process has been an aim of the International Oil Companies, IOCs, for several years but they have continually failed to make significant inroads into a largely corrupt system. Corruption in the contracting process is deeply embedded at all levels and this is only possible while there is minimal transparency in the process.

While Speaker Bankole calls for judicious use of public funds governors must set an example and do all that may be necessary to build public confidence in the process of government. The astonishing growth in the personal wealth of former governor James Ibori after assuming public office is but one of many examples of enrichment through public office. Reasonable levels of transparency and public accountability would make corruption and associated enrichment from public office considerably harder.

President Yar’Adua has recently made it clear that he will not shield anyone from the full force of the law, particularly when it comes to corruption. A significant step in restoring public confidence in government would be a complete asset disclosure by all candidates for state and federal office prior to any election. Annual asset updates whilst holding public office would then be mandatory. While it may be too much to hope to see such an initiative during the current term of the Yar’Adua Administration, it is a goal worth pursuing in the longer term.