Laraba MUREY
Oxfam Nigeria and stakeholders have commenced efforts to combat corruption and ensure tax justice in the country.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, the Acting Country Director, Oxfam Nigeria, Hamza Ahmed Tijani, said corruption has long been a challenge in Nigeria and has impacted various aspects of society, from economic development to social justice.
According to Tijani, the collaborative endeavor, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscores the significance of working together to achieve these vital goals.
“At the core of the FAIR4ALL event is a shared vision—a vision of a society where opportunities are not privileges but birthright, wealth is distributed equitably, and voices are heard regardless of gender or background.
“The concept of fairness is not just a term but a lived reality that participants are working tirelessly to achieve,” he said.
Represented by the Project- Coordinator, Oxfam FAIR4ALL, Harry Ushie, he stated that “the initiative is in recognition that government agencies and non-state actors must join forces; this combined strength, resources, and determination are essential in the battle against corruption.”
He recalled that during a recent panel session held as part of Oxfam’s FAIR4ALL event, representatives from various government bodies, including the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, Code of Conduct Bureau, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, came together to strategize.
“They emphasized the need for a consolidated effort to intensify their fight against corruption, addressing its core issues and promoting tax justice.
“This call for collaboration recognizes the intricate challenges posed by corruption and the necessity of a united approach.
“Furthermore, the panel discussion highlighted the importance of involving the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the inception of projects related to rights.
“This early involvement allows for greater synergy with grassroots mobilization efforts, enhancing the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at addressing injustices.
Participants at the event emphasized the value of utilizing resources like the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, DIR tool.
They said when consistently used, this tool can assess the impact of oil spillage on various levels, aiding the identification and remediation of affected areas.
FAIR4ALL event showed that collaboration between government agencies and non-state actors is not merely a theoretical concept; it is a practical means of achieving a more equitable society.
It represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption and its commitment to promoting fairness and justice.
On Oxfam economic pillar strategy,
Tijani said “it focuses on ensuring that resources are adequately redistributed to the most vulnerable and that means that farmers also are able to access capital and also access to improve seedlings for their farms .
“What it also means is that we collaborate with government agencies like the Bank of agriculture for example, to make it easy for these farmers to meet those conditions that enable them to access finance for their farms. What it also means is that we provide them with subsidized fertilizer,, where they are able to access such and also help their crop yield, “he said.
Also speaking, Strategy ,Growth and Analytics Advisor, BudgIT Foundation, James Amenaghawon, said “We will be expecting that they will embrace the whole idea of raising the bar on fiscal accountability, and using these as a basis to again, improve the challenges and deal with the challenges of inequality in our different communities.
“We’re also interested in and helping and supporting continually communities, who will now refer to as “community rights holders”, to again be involved, from the very beginning in many of the projects that we’ll be implementing going forward
On her part, Tax Justice and Governance Platform Host, Civil Society Legislative Council of Nigeria CISLAC, Nancy Oko-Onya, said, “We ensure that women are brought into the process of leadership and governance at that level where we ask for women’s inclusion in decision making processes.
“We also educate the public on the best way to pay tax, why they should pay tax on what the taxes they pay for, and are used for by the government.