Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ), Ibrahim Lamorde says the Commission, through its training programmes, enlightenment initiatives and collaboration with stakeholders, has demonstrated its resolve to help Nigeria achieve greatness.
Lamorde made the assertion while flagging off a three-day ‘Anti- Corruption, Fiscal Responsibility and Good Governance’ training for state government officials across the country at the EFCC Academy, Karu- Abuja.
The EFCC boss who was represented by Secretary to the Commission, Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, urged the participants to appreciate the sensitive role they play as managers of our commonwealth.
“The state governments transmit development to the local governments and likewise contribute to the federal government’s efforts at developing the country”, he stated. He, however, bemoaned the rate of corruption at this tier of government.
While listing inflation of prices, embezzlement, misappropriation, over-estimation of cost of projects, ghost workers syndrome, award and abandonment of contracts and outright payment of money to godfathers as some of the ways corruption thrives at state government level; Lamorde warns that EFCC would not spare anyone who violates the law.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of the EFCC Academy, Ayo Olowonihi expressed delight that after series of consultation and preparation the training had finally commenced. He thanked the Chairman of the Commission and the House of Representative Committee on State and Local Government Affairs for making the event a reality. Olowonihi implored participants to be attentive as this could save them from trouble.
“Please pay attention, take part and express yourselves because you are the ones on ground, you are the ones doing the jobs. We urge you to speak to us, ask us questions and give us examples and let us talk because, when we talk about it, we won’t have to fight over it”.
In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on State and Local Government Affairs, Ibrahim Lawal Nuhu lamented the high rate of corruption at all levels of government in the country, saying that was why the national assembly ensured the promulgation of anti- corruption laws and agencies.
In a goodwill message, Alhaji Muhammed Bello Umar, Head of Service, Zamfara State, urged the EFCC to take the training down to the grassroots because the masses need to know how their resources are being managed.
The training which will involve all the six geo-political zones of the country, started with the North West states of Kano, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kastina, Jigawa and Sokoto.
