Bob Dewar

Transparency very key to UK/Nigeria

Gave a speech to a packed audience at the Aminu Kano centre for democratic research in Kano's Bayero University in the North of Nigeria. Subject was transparency which is such an important component of how the UK government works with Nigeria, encouraging fiscal discipline and good public financial management, publishing information on oil revenue and expenditure and on Federal and State budgets. That leads to more accountability to the citizen. Made clear our commitment to such international values and standards and importance of Nigeria using public money for public priorities such as services- and fighting corruption and money laundering. And the independent UK prosecution and courts authorities are committed to carrying out the fight against money laundering under our law.

The subject provoked a lively debate on corruption and on the need for impunity of the powerful to be dented. Everyone is equal before the law. Of course it 'takes two to tango' so there is also an issue of bribery  by foreign companies, which is illegal under the OECD Convention and which needs to be combatted.

Posted at 15:08 24 November 2009 by Bob Dewar  |  Comments[0]