Thatlooting the public treasury at year-end has persisted for so long is a shame

Looting has remained a culture in the Nigerian public service. As December approaches and a new budget is being prepared, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government try to tidy up their books. Whatever amount remains in the books has to be spent, usually for personal benefits.

We commend the Federal Government for taking steps to halt the practice. As the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation instructed in a circular to all heads of the MDAs, no revenue generated by them should be wantonly expended as was the practice in previous years.

The move is apt at this point when the whole world knows that Nigeria is facing both revenue and debt crises. Revenue generating agencies fail to ensure that non-oil fund due to the government is fully recovered and remitted. But, in this case, the Head of Service is even saying that which is raked up is being spent in an unacceptable manner.

This reflects failure of institutions and values. The public service is guided by strict rules that are clearly spelt out in its rules and regulations. One of such rules is the Financial Instructions. Heads of the MDAs should be held responsible for any breach of the rules. Only then would they be made responsible, responsive and accountable.

This is not the first time government would threaten to tighten the loose ends and punish erring civil servants, but it usually ends at that — nothing is heard thereafter, thus emboldening the officers to continue with the nefarious activities. It should be clear to all now that should the country continue on this perilous trajectory, the future will remain bleak.

Unfortunately, the obnoxious practice is not limited to the federal public service. The states are even worse and steps are not being taken to curb it as well as other fraudulent activities. It is sad that states remain fully dependent on allocations from the Federation Account. This has made them lazy about revenue collection and reporting. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in liaison with the Head of Service of the Federation should organise a conference of all secretaries to state governments and states’ heads of service to plan how to curb the practice. This is an emergency period, which must be appreciated by all.

The 2023 Appropriation Act just signed by the President estimates public expenditure at N21 trillion, of which more than half hangs on deficit financing. A lot has been said about high cost of governance with little done. To fight corruption, the Obasanjo administration established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the twin agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), but, it appears the more the government claims to fight corruption, the more the cancer spreads through the service. The Buhari government has only about four months to quit the stage. The President rode into office on the mantra of a ruthless fight of corruption. He promised change in the public service and better life for citizens. If the administration should end on this note, it would be regarded as a failure, at least on this score.

Even at this last minute, the public service could be reviewed by ensuring that rules are applied. Whoever falls short of demands of regulations should be punished according to the law. By so doing, the foundation would have been laid for the succeeding government.

Condemnable