The Human Rights Impact of Local Government Corruption and Mismanagement in Rivers State, Nigeria

Author: Human Rights Watch

Year of publication: 2007

Index:

Summary

Recommendations

Methodology

Background and Context: Oil, Poverty and Governance in Nigeria

• State and Local Government in Nigeria
• Oil and Governance
• The Niger Delta: A Rising Tide of Discontent

Local Government Corruption and Mismanagement in Rivers State: An Overview

• A Vast Increase in Financial Resources
• The Dynamics and Mechanics of Corruption and Mismanagement
• Case Study A: Opobo/Nkoro Local Government

Impact of Local Government Corruption and Mismanagement on Primary Education and Primary Health Care in Rivers State

• Health Care
• Primary Education
• Case Study B: Khana Local Government
• Case Study C: Etche Local Government

* In Nigerian slang, to “chop” literally means to eat, but the word is also commonly used to describe the practice of embezzling government money (to “chop money”). “Chop fine” means “eat well.”

Roots of Local-Level Corruption in Rivers State

• The Rivers State Government: “Leading By Example”
• Centralization of Power and Accountability
• Access to Information about Government Spending
• Oversight of Local Government Conduct
• Violence and Corruption

Nigeria’s Obligations under International Law

• The Rights to Health and Education
• Right of Access to Official Information

Nigerian Government Efforts to Fight Corruption

• Improvements in Transparency
• The “War on Corruption”
• Failures and Backward Steps
• Civilian Rule without Accountability

International Efforts to Promote Transparency and Fight Corruption

• The Role of Multinational Oil Companies

Acknowledgements

Link: Go to the Human Rights Watch website and read the report