The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, FMSDIGA, Dr Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, has sought the support of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the area of monitoring and implementation of government projects across the country.
He disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, July 10, 202,5, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Commission`s Headquarters in Abuja in the company of his team.
He commended the EFCC for its consistent commitment in fighting corruption, financial crimes and ensuring transparency and accountability across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, while seeking collaboration between both agencies.
“We are seeking strengthened monitoring through inter-agency support by proposing a framework of collaboration with the EFCC for joint investigation and monitoring of questionable or high-value projects. We need access to EFCC intelligence in cases where fraud is suspected. We also need your presence in project locations,” he said
He advocated for training and capacity building of their officers on forensic verification techniques, detection of procurement fraud and legal compliance in project certification.
Continuing, he said, “EFCC can assist in setting up anonymous reporting lines where citizens or stakeholders in project locations can report fraud, abandonment or misrepresentation. So we use this medium to request the Executive Chairman to advise the government to revert and domicile all ZIPs to the FMSDIGA for effective oversight. The EFCC`s collaboration, support and partnership will enhance public trust, recover losses to the public treasury and deter corrupt practices in project implementation by appointing a liaison officer to work hand in hand with the ministry”
Responding, the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammad Hammaj, appreciated them for the visit, assuring them that both agencies work for the government, so there is a need for collaboration to enable effective service delivery.
“Whatever is humanly possible to support your work, we will give to you. You also have to go to all your stakeholders to collaborate with them as well. Go back to the National Assembly, Accountant General of the Federation and also the Budget Office and align with them to fine-tune a framework that will allow you to function properly. On our part, in terms of the monitoring of these projects, we have a full–fledged Department called the Fraud Risk Assessment and Control that will give you all the support you need, let us know and we will go with you anytime you are ready”, he said.
