By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Civil Society Organisation on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI) yesterday told President Bola Tinubu to make public the report of the Jim Obazee Probe panel on the financial transactions of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, under its former governor, Godwin Emefiele.
CSCHEI, which recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU and partnership agreement also called on President Tinubu to consider a more people-friendly electricity tariff, citing the current difficulties faced by Nigerians in paying their electricity bills.
Director-General of the CSCHEI, Kunle Yusuff, who made the call at a media chat with heads of CEOs, CBOs, and FBOs in Abuja, further called on President Tinubu to permit the Special Investigator on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other Government Business Entities, Jim Obazee, to commence investigation of other public entities.
The entities of interest to the body of civil society organisations include the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Nigerians Customs Service (NCS).
Fielding questions on what CSOs are doing in respect of the report of the special investigator that has turned in its report which appears to have become a secret document, Yusuff said, “Whatever report the committee has submitted must be in the public domain for everybody to see
“When the report is made public, the CSO will either applaud the consultant or challenge him to explain the contents of the report. We will do administrative surgery analysis on the submission.”
Yusuff also highlighted the need for a more inclusive and affordable electricity tariff that takes into account the economic realities of the average Nigerian.
He emphasised that the current tariff is causing undue hardship for many households and small businesses, and urged the President to review the tariff to make it more accessible and affordable for all.
“The current electricity tariff is a significant burden on many Nigerians, and we urge the President to consider a more people-friendly approach that takes into account the economic realities of our people,” Yusuff said.
“We believe that access to affordable electricity is a fundamental right, and we must work towards making it a reality for all Nigerians”, he said.
The Director-General of CSCHEI also commended the President for his efforts in addressing the nation’s electricity challenges but emphasized the need for a more inclusive and sustainable approach that prioritizes the needs of the people.
On the call for investigation of key money-generating agencies of government, he commended the President for engaging Obazee, who has reportedly handled his mandates professionally, and urged him to make the report of the investigation of the CBN open to CSOs, while he expands the scope of the investigation to include other critical public entities.
“We acknowledge and appreciate Mr President’s efforts on the methodology adopted by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Minster Betta Edu.
“We would also like to thank Mr. President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the engagement of Jim Obazee, the Special Investigator on CBN and other Government Business Entities.
“The report on the public domain showed that the consultant handled his mandates professionally. We CSOs in Nigeria want to know the status of the special investigator reports, most importantly appealing to permit this bold and professional special investigator to further investigate NNPC, NPA, NIMASA, CUSTOM, and others for dear country’s financial stability.
“As we have all pledged our allegiance to National Unity, the registered Civil Society Organisations under the umbrella of CSCHEI are readily available to partner and collaborate with government at all levels on development, security enhancement, and corruption advocacy with the EFCC, by the law of the land”, he said.
He also urged the government to strengthen and make the student loan scheme more robust, transparent, and accessible to needy students across the country.
Yusuff emphasized the importance of an effective student loan program in producing a skilled and educated workforce to drive sustainable development.
The CSCHEI DG also emphasized the importance of synergy and collaborative action between the government and civil society organizations to promote development at all levels.
He highlighted various challenges facing Nigerians, including the high cost of public higher education and insecurity, calling on the government to address these issues.
He called on the government to engage with civil society organizations and other stakeholders to find a solution that works for all Nigerians.
