» DIVERSIONS MUST BE AVOIDED ON HALLIBURTON
22nd
April, 2009 PRESS STATEMENT DIVERSIONS MUST BE AVOIDED ON HALLIBURTON The Nigeria
Labour Congress (NLC) is worried that the controversy between various
organisations and government officials, particularly the Attorney General over
the Halliburton bribe scandal may lead to diversion. It is understandable
that given the long history of broken promises, many have become skeptical of
government; however this should not be allowed to divert attention from the
monumental bribe scandal which the Presidency itself claims is a putrid affair. If the presidency
believes that it needs to investigate the matter before prosecution hence its
decision to set up the inter-agency committee, this should not lead to
controversy. We believe
that the Yar’Adua Presidency knows that in the Halliburton Scandal, the administration’s
reputation, claims to the rule of law and avowed commitment to the
anti-corruption war are at stake. In
other words, this Government itself is on public trial whatever way it handles
the Halliburton scandal, and its outcome may be the basis to judge this
administration’s competence and commitment. Even if there
are attempts to cover up, we believe that given the international dimensions
the case has assumed including the involvement of the American, Swiss and
French authorities, any attempt to clothe the culprits in the borrowed robes of
decency will back fire. In any case,
this is a case that has attracted the attention of the whole country, and no
serious organisation will go to sleep until the details are unraveled and the
perpetuators publicly identified and brought to book. The NLC calls
on the Attorney General to avoid controversial statements and work more on
bringing the perpetuators to justice. Government should ensure that its
committee works expeditiously so that culprits can be brought to justice. We also call
on Government to ensure that all those involved in the Siemens 10million Euros
bribery scandal are also brought to book. We believe
that no country can be re-branded if it is enmeshed in corruption or corrupt
practices. President |
