Bawa charges NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry on prudent use of govt resources

By ABIRHIRE THOMAS

Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has tasked  the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to ensure prudent use of government resources at their disposal, by ensuring that funds released for specific projects are utilized for the same purpose.

He gave this charge on Monday,  September 12, 2022 at 5th National Council on Niger Delta,  5NCND, held at Le’ Meridian Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.  According to him, the EFCC would always ensure that right things are done concerning the use of government resources.

“There’s a new sheriff in town and the NDDC must acknowledge this reality and know that it’s no longer business as usual. The statistics of NDDC abandoned projects in the region, and unremitted taxes is very alarming. Some NDDC staff identified to have mismanaged and embezzled government resources have been prosecuted, convicted and proceeds of crime forfeited . The  current administration in the EFCC would ensure that things are done rightly. So, I urge you to please do the right thing, and there will not be problems”, he said.

Bawa, who spoke through the Uyo Zonal Commander of the EFCC,  Assistant Commander of the EFCC,  ACE Hamidu Bawa,  also called on participants and indeed all Nigerians to embrace the Whistle-blowing Policy  of the government and use it for the good of the country.  “I call on you to please make use of the Whistle-blowing Policy of the Federal Government,  while I also implore agencies to put in place a confidential channel of reporting internal fraud and other corrupt practices. Emphasis on ‘confidential’ to protect the staff reporting the fraud  from being victimized.  Nigeria is blessed with vast human, mineral and material resources which are available to the entire nation, let’s be prudent in the use of these resources and avoid waste”, he said.

The EFCC’s boss explained that the Commission would continue to pursue its mandate, without fear and favour and urged participants at the Workshop to make their minds open,  by ignoring sectional or other extraneous interests in their perception of the works of the EFCC.  He further stressed that no agency in the country is more transparent than the EFCC in terms of publishing statistics of recoveries, arrests, arraignment and convictions.

The four- day Workshop,  with the theme, “Harnessing 21st Century Development Initiatives and Strategies for Greater Development Impact”,   was declared open by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo.