ABUJA — The Coalition Against Malpractices and Corruption (COMAC) has urged a comprehensive transparency audit of financial transactions and procurement activities within the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. The coalition called on relevant government institutions to strengthen accountability frameworks in the ministry to ensure adherence to due process and good governance.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, COMAC — a coalition of civil society organisations including the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEHUR), the Association of Media Practitioners in Oil and Gas Producing Areas (AMEPROGAS), and the Arewa Youth Alliance for Progress and Development — said the initiative was part of its ongoing campaign to promote openness and integrity in public administration.
The Convener of COMAC, Comrade Odey Otunu, explained that the group had formally written to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, invoking the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, to request detailed records of procurement activities and contract documentation. The objective, he noted, is to ensure transparency in government expenditure and compliance with statutory procurement procedures.
Otunu further clarified that the request was part of a broader civil society effort to monitor adherence to the Public Procurement Act, 2007, stressing that the coalition had not drawn any conclusions pending an official response from the ministry.
In addition, COMAC revealed plans to forward petitions to key oversight and anti-corruption bodies, including the Office of the President, the National Assembly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the Nigeria Police Force Special Fraud Unit.
“Moving forward, as part of our democratic engagement and public sensitisation efforts, we will organise peaceful marches and advocacy rallies to the National Assembly, EFCC, ICPC, and other relevant agencies,” Otunu stated.
According to him, the demonstrations are intended to press the authorities to initiate transparent and independent investigations into the ministry’s financial and procurement practices.
Otunu added that COMAC would resort to legal action if its FOI request continued to be ignored.
“If all appeals and administrative measures fail, we are prepared to approach the judiciary to seek an order of mandamus compelling the Ministry of Aviation to comply with its statutory obligations under the Freedom of Information Act,” he declared.
