By Chimezie Godfrey
The 2018 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released globally by Transparency International has revealed that Nigeria has neither improved nor progressed in the perception of corruption in the public administration in 2018.
The newly released index was published by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC) and Transparency International (TI) chapter in Nigeria in a press conference held Tuesday in Abuja.
The publication revealed that Nigeria scored 27 out of 100 points in the 2018 CPI, maintaining the same score as in the 2017 CPI.
The Executive Director (CISLAC), Auwal Ibraham Musa Rafsanjani said that Nigeria ranks 144 out of 180 countries this year as opposed to 148 out of 180 countries in 2017 CPI.
“Nigeria is thus still perceived as highly corrupt, and although the ranking shows that Nigeria moved up four (4) places, it only means that four other countries have scored worse while Nigeria stagnated, he said.”
Rafsanjani noted that lack of progress in the fight against corruption as testified by this year’s edition of the CPI is a consequence of partial or non-implementation of recommendations issued by corruption experts and activists.
He added that there were recommendations that accompany the launch of the CPI 2017, one of which among others was for the immediate appointment and prompt inauguration of the National Procurement Council (NPC) which the Nigerian government has failed to implement.
He stressed that the introduction of beneficial ownership of companies is needed to know the extent of suspected ownership of politicians and civil servants of oil and gas companies, construction businesses and other public contractors.
“CISLAC recommends time and time again to stop corruption by; strengthening the institutions responsible for maintaining responsible for checks and balances over political power and ensuring their ability to operate without intimidation, closing the implementation gap between anti-corruption legislation, practice and enforcement.
“Supporting civil society organizations which enhance political engagement and public oversight over government spending, particularly at the state and local levels.
“Supporting a free and independent media, ensuring the safety of journalists and their ability to work without intimidation or harassment, he said.”
The Executive Director said that CPI aggregates data from a number of different sources, and in the of Nigeria, they include; African Development Bank Perception Survey, Bestelsmann Foundation Transformation Indices, and Economist Intelligence Unit Country ratings.
Others are PRS International Country Risk Guide, World Bank Corruption Perception Assessment, The World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey, World justice Project Rule of Law index and Varieties of Democracy Project.
