Revenue leakages in maritime, other sectors may destroy economy —ICPC

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expressed worries over activities of  maritime, oil and gas agencies of government operating at the nation’s seaports,  saying that  all of them contributes in one way or the other to revenue leakages. The anti graft commission however called on the Federal Government to take drastic and urgent actions on such revenue leakages to avoid collapse of the nations economy.

The Acting Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Usman Abubakar made the call at the One Day Workshop on Dangers of revenue leakages to the Nigeria Economy which was put together by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria and chaired by the Chairman House of Representatives  Committee on Anti Corruption Hon. Akinloye Babajide.

According to Dr. Abubakar, “The activities of all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the various ports, the clearing agents and other bodies that operate in the ports should be further scrutinized because all of them contribute in one way or the other to revenue leakages affecting the economy.

“Some of them are known to cut corners, thereby under-paying or not paying at all the official tax or tariff which form substantial part of the leakages.”

While lamenting that the danger associated with revenue leakages is occasioned by corruption, he stated that the agency would continue to welcome engagements to mull the malady.

In his words, “lack of accountability and transparency among other vices has led to abject poverty, inadequate infrastructural and social amenities, poor standard of living and low per capital income in the country.”

Speaking further, the ICPC boss who was represented at the event by the Director of Integration, ICPC, Mr. Akeem Lawal, added that if the level of revenue leakages is allowed to continue, the economy of the country may bleed to death. He therefore called on all stakeholders to devise a workable strategy to find a lasting solution to money laundering by public officers.

Speaking on the efforts of the agency on the course so far, he said that in 2013, in furtherance to its statutory powers, the agency conducted Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) in the ports sector in conjunction with a team of partners consisting TUGAR, BPP, UNDP, MACN and Shippers’ Council.

He stated that the effort culminated in the development of Standard Operational Procedures as well as Integrity Plan even as he said that the legislature will have a role to play in the process.

Speaking earlier, Chairman House Committee on Anti Corruption , Hon. Akinloye Babajide said the Oil and Gas and Maritime Industries have strong nexus with interwoven features that can  complement each other in generating huge revenue for the country, if leakages are prevented.

He added that the National Assembly as an institution concerned about these unpalatable statistics about a rich, but poor country at the same time.