By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has been tasked by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to investigate the use of the $1.5 billion and the $3.121 billion loans collected from the World Bank and China, respectively.
In a letter dated August 10, 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the group urged the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly and thoroughly look into the spending of $1.5 billion World Bank loan obtained by the 36 states and Abuja for poverty reduction and social protection across the states.
It argued that the prompt investigation into the alleged mismanagement of the Chinese loans of $3.121 billion obtained by the federal government would ensure accountability for the spending of the two loans and would also build trust in democratic institutions with the ultimate aim of strengthening the rule of law.
Business Post reports that the $1.5 billion World Bank loan is for two projects; Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme for Results (Nigeria CARES) and the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Program for Results (SFTAS).
The Chinese $3.121 billion loans are for 11 projects including the Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Idu-Kaduna section); the Abuja Light Rail Project, the Nigerian Four Airport Terminals Expansion Project (Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt), the Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) and Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Abuja – Keffi- Makurdi Road Project.
SERAP said, “Suspected perpetrators of corruption and mismanagement should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered.”
“There are reports that the $1.5bn World Bank loan to the 36 states and Abuja and the $3bn Chinese loans obtained by the Federal Government may have been mismanaged or diverted, and in any case remain unaccounted for.
“Investigating and prosecuting allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of World Bank loans and Chinese loans would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution, and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations,” the letter further said.
SERAP expressed that it was concerned about the continuing lack of transparency and accountability in managing World Bank loans and Chinese loans obtained by the states and the Federal Government.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest,” it added.
The group also said it was concerned about years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of World Bank loans and Chinese loans obtained by Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Government, as well as the entrenched impunity of perpetrators.