Stakeholders appraise the implementation of asset recovery and its impact on the people ...plead for a change of attitude toward the environment.

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), has put together a meeting to critically appraise the implementation of the Global Forum for Asset Recovery (GFAR), Principles in Asset Return to Nigeria. 

The group looked at the projects that had been implemented, the impact it has on the people and if it was beneficial to them

Participants in the programme, although they had divergent views, agreed that the recovered funds are well spent and, therefore, have a real-time time in the lives of the people.

The Executive  Director, of the frica Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Mr David Ugolor,  explained that validating the research report on the review of the implementation of Key GFAR Principles in Asset Return to Nigeria was necessary to change the mindset of the public that looted funds such as, " the $311.8 million recovered from the Bailiwick of Jersey used for legacy projects, Lagos-Ibadan Road, Abuja-Kano Road and 2nd Niger bridge. Were - looted when the reverse is the case. 

"To change the narrative, there is the need to answer these questions since transparency and accountability are the bedrock of any government ". Ugolor said

Mr Ugolor says, " Although there are gaps, according to the research in the current asset recovery process in Nigeria, it is imperative to provide recommendations for improving future asset return agreements which is the essence of the meeting ".

The  Programme Officer, Center for  Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria, CLEEN, Mr Bernard Ekube, said, before now, there had been a lot of misconceptions that funds looted have been re-looted, which he said was not the case as the over three hundred and eleven million dollars Abacha loot is used for the 2nd Niger Bridge, the Lagos Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja - Kano roads. 

According to him, " the selection of toads were selected based on their importance and cuts across the zones, and these are all huge projects, having been awarded several times, but now, it is a different matter as the roads are now stress-free". 

Explaining further, " the Lagos - Ibadan Expressway is one that a lot of people have come to appreciate because once they have one major church functions, the road is blocked, people have been robbed, accidents have happened, noting that, Government is using the money on the capital projects which is the way to go. " he affirmed 

Mr Ekube stressed that CLEENS sees it as a big project because it monitored it from point Zero to finishing and starting the roads. have been very rewarding, although it might not be one hundred per cent complete because pedestrian bridge lighting and mapping of the roads have not been done. 

 He expressed dismay at the attitude to the project saying no matter how strong a road is, when engine oil, petrol, diesel and tyres are burnt on the roads, it damages them, insisting that roads are built with the highest materials and to specifications, but when people do not take ownership, it becomes a problem. 

" For instance, the beams of the bridges that were conducted on that road are already damaged. There are tyres used to wage the roads, wastes are all over the place, the drainages are blocked with filth, so the problem is citizens have to own the projects ". He argued.