…ompliance failures, bane of corruption in MDAs-Olukoyede
By Dele Ogbodo
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, on Tuesday applauded the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the National Agency for Science Engineering and Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Halilu, on his leadership strides for developing Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to curb corruption.
He also commended the agency for forging alliance with the EFCC, nothing that the readiness of NASENI staff to be guided by the documents was of more paramount importance.
He assured the Agency of EFCC’s continuous support.
Olukoyede, decried the lack of compliance with best practices, rules and regulation in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs in the country, stressing that it is one of the gateways to corruption in Nigeria.
The EFCC boss, made the observation in Abuja while addressing a delegation from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI, led by its Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Halilu at the Commission’s headquarters.
He pointed out that government agencies and private concerns in Nigeria are falling short of compliance with established regulations, making them prone to compromises, abuses and corruption.
If there’s anything most of our MDAs are lacking, it is the issue of compliance. We don’t comply, and that is a problem.
There is lack of compliance in the process of award of contract, management processes, financial regulations and all that. Most agencies don’t comply and that’s what leads to corruption and financial crimes.
When you don’t comply, it’s a breach. And the moment there is a breach, it gives room for anything. And you will discover that others who have been waiting and watching you will now take advantage of that and perpetrate more evil that you can never envisage.” he said.
Halilu, who expressed delight with the good working relationship between the two agencies disclosed that the visit was to express NASENI’s gratitude to the EFCC and to plead for the sustenance of the goodwill from the Commission.
“One of the early things I did when I took over the seat was to invite EFCC to come and see our processes and procedures and how we can further strengthen them. So we just came here to thank you for the relationship.” he said.
The process of formulating NASENI’s CRA and SOP began in 2022 with a composition of a joint team, made of nine EFCC officers and 10 officials of NASENI.
Work on the documents was concluded late last year. The SOP emerged as a 1900 page document, compiled in 45 booklets.
Halilu, says the project is a great achievement for NASENI. “That is why we are here today to appreciate the EFCC for supporting us, for giving us nine of their best men to evaluate NASENI and to give NASENI suggestions on the way forward and how to prevent corruption.
We want a continuous relationship, he said.
