The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action and investigate the alleged mismanagement of billions of naira in ecological funds received by the Borno State government over the past two decades. SERAP, a prominent non-governmental organization focused on promoting transparency and accountability in public spending, raised concerns that these funds, intended to mitigate environmental disasters such as flooding, may have been diverted or mismanaged, leaving the state vulnerable to natural calamities.
In a letter dated September 21, 2024, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged President Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), alongside relevant anti-corruption agencies, to launch an investigation into the ecological funds allocated to Borno State since 2001. The call for a probe specifically focuses on the N816 million received by the state between January and June of 2024, a period during which Borno experienced devastating floods that displaced thousands and caused widespread destruction.
SERAP’s letter emphasized that any officials found guilty of corruption or mismanagement of the ecological funds should face prosecution, and any misappropriated funds should be recovered in full. The organization’s appeal reflects growing public concerns over how environmental relief funds are being spent, particularly in states like Borno that face recurring ecological challenges, such as flooding and desertification.
“Suspected perpetrators of allegations of corruption and mismanagement of ecological funds should face prosecution as appropriate if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered,” SERAP said in the letter.
The letter also called on President Tinubu to direct Mr. Fagbemi and the anti-corruption agencies to ensure that victims of the recent floods in Borno State receive justice and effective remedies for the losses they have suffered. It further demanded that the Nigerian government ensure transparency in the spending of ecological funds across all tiers of government, including federal, state, and local authorities, as well as emergency management agencies funded through the Ecological Fund.
SERAP pointed out that the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocates ecological funds to states every month, including millions of naira sent to Borno State. The ecological funds are intended to address environmental disasters and emergencies, such as floods, soil erosion, and desertification. However, the organization raised concerns that these funds may have been diverted for other purposes, including political campaigns and patronage.
According to SERAP, the ecological funds collected by Borno State over the years may have been mismanaged, with reports of substandard and abandoned projects that were fully paid for. SERAP is also concerned that funds meant for ecological projects have been diverted to personal or political uses, leaving citizens vulnerable to the very disasters these funds were meant to address.
The letter highlighted that the devastating floods in Borno State underscore the need for increased transparency and accountability in the management of the ecological fund. SERAP’s call comes on the heels of reports that the Borno State government has received substantial allocations of ecological funds but failed to deliver adequate relief and environmental protection for its citizens.
SERAP’s letter to President Tinubu also called on the federal government to extend its investigation beyond Borno State, urging authorities to monitor the spending of ecological funds across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the 774 local government areas in Nigeria. The group demanded that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. George Akume, work with anti-corruption agencies to track how ecological funds are being utilized nationwide.
“The Secretary to the Government of the Federation should work with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to track and monitor the spending of the Ecological Fund by the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, 36 state governors, the 774 local government areas, as well as all emergency management agencies across the country funded through the Ecological Fund,” SERAP stated.
The group pointed out that trillions of naira have been allocated through the Ecological Fund over the years, with the aim of addressing environmental disasters. However, reports of abandoned projects, substandard work, and misappropriation of funds have raised serious concerns about whether these funds are achieving their intended purpose. The organization stressed that ecological funds should be spent solely on mitigating environmental disasters and not for other purposes.
SERAP warned that if the Tinubu administration fails to take action within seven days of receiving their letter, they would consider pursuing legal action to compel the government to investigate and address the alleged mismanagement of ecological funds. SERAP emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of these funds, particularly in light of Nigeria’s growing vulnerability to environmental disasters such as flooding, soil erosion, and desertification.
“Although ecological funds are shared across the three tiers of government and emergency management agencies, the funds are managed and supervised by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The devastation in Borno highlights your government’s obligation to promote and ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of ecological funds by all tiers of government and emergency management agencies,” the letter said.
SERAP also underscored that addressing the issue of ecological fund mismanagement is not just about holding public officials accountable but also about ensuring justice for victims of environmental disasters. The organization noted that many Nigerians continue to suffer the consequences of floods, erosion, and other ecological crises, which could have been mitigated if the funds had been properly managed.
SERAP’s call for an investigation into the Borno State government’s use of ecological funds adds to growing public pressure on President Tinubu to prioritize anti-corruption efforts and improve transparency in the management of public funds. As Nigeria faces increasing environmental challenges, including the intensifying impact of climate change, ensuring that ecological funds are used efficiently and effectively has become a matter of urgency.
The organization’s appeal highlights the need for a comprehensive review of how ecological funds are managed across the country, with a focus on ensuring that these funds reach the communities most in need and are not diverted for personal or political gain. If the Tinubu administration heeds SERAP’s call, it could set a new standard for transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s management of environmental relief funds, providing much-needed hope for the country’s most vulnerable populations.
