The monitoring of Recovered Assets in Nigeria through Transparency and
Accountability known as MANTRA project in collaboration with the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, and supported by British Department for International Department, DFID, has organized a media launch for an assessment of its projects in the South East region.
The event which took place at Amawbia drew Journalists and relevant stakeholders from the South East region of Nigeria as they shared knowledge, reviewed and made recommendations towards achieving the
desired goals.

Following the return of the three hundred and twenty two point five million dollars from the Swiss government being part of loot stashed
away in Swiss by the late Nigeria Head of State, General Sani Abacha, a decision was made by government to channel the funds to the National Social Investments programme NSIP, of the federal government to tackle poverty and hunger across the country.

Speaking in a welcome remark, the Executive Director of CIRDDOC, Mrs. Ralchukwu Obioha, represented by the Project Coordinator, Mr. Pascal Anozie, acknowledged that from the recent Transparency International, TI, Nigeria ranked one hundred and forty-eighth  out of one hundred and eighty  countries ranked in its 2017 corruption perception index
disclosing  that  International community has shown commitment and determination to trace and repatriate looted assets to countries of origin to finance development.

She noted that at present, Anambra State seems to be the only state in the South East enrolled and is benefiting from the conditional cash Transfer, stating categorically that apart from the three hundred and twenty-two point five million dollars returned from the Swiss
government, UK has equally returned seventy- three million dollars of the Malabu oil deal while more of such loots have been returned and others are being negotiated.

While giving an insight  into  the success story of the programme in the state , the Head , Anambra State Cash Transfer Unit, Mr. Ralph
Enukorah ,revealed that the selection of benefiting communities was done by the World Bank which means  seven thousand, six hundred and nine persons have benefited out of  the seven thousand, six hundred
and fifteen enrolled citizens and appreciated the state government for their efforts in ensuring that the state citizenry benefit from the Abacha loot initiative of the federal government.

On his part,  A CIRDDOC Project Advisor, Engineer  Ralph Ndigwe, listed the National Cash Transfer Programme, N-Power, Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer programme, amongst others, which are expected to last for three years for the first phase and registered his displeasure over the nonchalant attitude of some states who fail to participate in the ongoing programme and advised
the general public to report any abnormality to appropriate quarters in ensuring that the said money is not diverted.

The event  was also attended by  the State Coordinator of Coalition of South East NGOS  CENGOS,  Professor Mercy Anigbogu, and the
traditional Ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu and National  president Association of Town Unions, ASATU,  Chief Alex Onukwue, represented by the Legal Adviser of the ASATU, Barrister  Chika Dumije, among others.

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