Listing of Assets Key To Democracy, says US envoy

Simon Ateba

The declaration of assets by public officials is an important part of the democratic process as it builds trust and eliminates suspicions, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terence McCulley, has said.

“I think the declaration of assets is important because it eliminates concerns about conflict of interests. It demonstrates on a regular basis whether an individual has suspicious increase in income,” McCulley said on ’60 Minutes With Angela’, a television programme aired on MiTV on Thursday.

Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, recently rejected calls by opposition parties and pro-democracy organisations to make his assets public as was done by President Umaru Yar’Adua, his predecessor.

But McCulley did not express his opinion about the Nigerian situation, rather he said it is an important part of the democratic process in the United States.

“I think it’s an important part of the democratic process in the United States to build trust in institutions and individuals,” he said.

Quoting President Barack Obama, McCulley said Africa will be better off if it had strong institutions and not strong men.

“The constructions of democratic institutions are fundamental to the construction of democracy. I think strong institutions and effective oversight of these institution is important to the fight against corruption, important for the success of elections,” McCulley said.

The US Ambassador who was deployed into the country two years ago disclosed that there are 6000 Nigerian students studying in the United States, the largest number in Sub-Saharan Africa

“Nigerian students are the largest population in the United States in sub-saharan Africa with 6000 Nigerian students studying in the United States,” he said.

McCulley said there was no plans by the US Government to designate Boko Haram fundamentalist sect a terrorist organisation.

He said only three identified individuals have been labelled terrorists by the American Government.

Commenting on the American election, the US diplomat said he believed the economy was number one concern for the American people.

He said after spending about 23 years in Africa, he got to love Suya, though he can also try pepper soup.

“I think most Americans are focused on the economy.