Alfa Belgore’s committee wants First Lady’s office to be cancelled

The Presidential Committee on the Review of outstanding issues has recommended that the First Lady office should be scrapped.

In the report presented by the committee to President, Goodluck Jonathan said the office of the first lady is not recognized by the constitution, but enjoy public acknowledgment and some perks.

The committee which is headed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN),Alfa Belgore  also recommended the removal of the Code of Conduct from the 1999 Constitution, a development which may make declaration of assets discretionary under the law.

According to the report published by “THE NATION” reads: “The Committee noted, the response from the State House  on the Office of the First Lady and recommends that since the office does not operate under any legal framework, that the operation and funding (both in kind and cash) of such offices at all levels of government should be discouraged and abolished forthwith.

“The Committee recommends that Security Votes should be appropriated for in each year’s budget of the Executives to enable the Auditors-General report on them as provided for in the Constitution.”

On the conduct of public officers, the Belgore panel opted for moderation as an official policy.

Besides the stoppage of the use of siren by public officers, it urged the government to reduce the size of Special Advisers, Special Assistants and Personal Assistants.

The report added: “The Committee recommends the abolition of use of sirens by Political Officer Holders.
“It also recommends the institution/establishment of Legislation to reduce flamboyance and ostentation in all respects.

“The committee recommends strict moderation in the appointment of Special Advisers, Special Assistants and Personal Assistants to reduce cost of governance and avoid breaching the protocol of the Civil Service.”

On the appointment of Chief of Staff by the President and governors, the committee said it is discretionary.

“The Committee noted that while the roles of the SGF/SSG and HCSF/HCSS were clearly defined in the Constitution, those of the Chief of Staff were at the discretion the President and Governors,” it said.

It sought for a framework that will ensure continuity of government policies by successive administrations.

“The Committee recommends that there should be stability, continuity and consistency in government policies.

“The Committee reiterates this recommendation, having observed that it has not been fully addressed by Government,” it claimed.

Regarding corruption in public life and transparency, the Belgore Panel insisted on the merger of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau.

The report said: “The Committee notes the submission by the EFCC and recommends the merger of the Anti-graft Agencies i.e EFCC, ICPC and Code of Conduct Bureau, to be known as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. A detailed policy paper on corruption is attached to this report.

“All Nigerians with illegally acquired wealth stashed abroad, if convicted, should be compelled to repatriate such wealth back to Nigeria and be prosecuted.

“The Committee recommends that individuals and CEOs of indicted organisations be relieved of their appointments and prosecuted in the appropriate courts for criminal offences as is the current practice.

“The Committee recommends that all awardees of National Honours who are convicted should be stripped of such honours.

“The committee strongly upholds the 2005 NPR Conference recommendation in this regard and recommends its immediate implementation.

“The Committee recommends that the debate in the Legislature and Reports of any investigation of Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly or State House of Assembly, including Hansard, should be made public as and when due and circulated to all MDA’s.

But the panel adopted what looks like an ambiguous position on declaration of assets by public officers by calling for the removal of the Code of Conduct from the 1999 Constitution.

The report added: “The Committee recommends that the Code of Conduct should be taken out of the Constitution.

“It should exist as an administrative regulation or a legislation which can be modified or amended from time to time to reflect current realities.

“The Committee further recommends extensive public sensitisation on this issue so that this recommendation, if implemented, will not be wrongly interpreted as a reversal in the fight against corruption.”

To address the high level of insecurity nationwide, the panel called for mass recruitment into the police and financial autonomy for Zonal Police Commands

It said: “The response of the Police Service Commission was noted by the Committee. While the Committee recommends that the status quo should be maintained in respect of the appointment of the IGP, there should be clearer distinction between the functions of the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Police Affairs.

“The Inspector General of Police should have total operational control while the Ministry of Police Affairs should have administrative control. The Ministry of Police Affairs should develop a policy where significant financial autonomy is given to Zonal Commands.

“The Federal Government must take full responsibility of funding Police operations especially in areas under emergency rule.

“ Nigeria is still under-policed and we need massive recruitment and training. The Rank and File of the Police should as much as possible, be posted to areas of their cultural and linguistic relevance.

“The committee upholds the recommendations of the 2005 National Political Reform Conference and believes that the use of Community Policing would effectively revitalize the security system in the country.

“The committee also decries the lackadaisical attitude of some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force particularly with respect to their dressing and recommends proactive measures to tackle it.

“Furthermore, the committee recommends that the police should be well barracked.

“The Police should set up more Forensic Laboratories at least one in each State and engage our young Scientists and School leavers to improve the quality of Police investigative works.  Personnel in these Laboratories should be under a Command that gives them fair chances of promotion as obtains in other operational Commands.

“Government should provide decent accommodation in Barracks for the Police. Government should address the poor ratio/size of men in the Police Force.”