The Govt Chairman of the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has recognized public sector corruption, notably procurement and contract fraud, as Nigeria’s most urgent difficulty accounting for over 90 per cent of the nation’s corruption and fraud instances.
Olukoyede disclosed this throughout a gathering on Friday, January 17, 2025, with a delegation from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), led by its newly-appointed Director Normal, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun.
The assembly befell on the EFCC’s company headquarters.
“Within the EFCC, we deal with each non-public and public sector fraud. And relating to the general public sector, which is one in all our main issues in Nigeria, we found that contract and procurement fraud takes greater than 90 per cent of the quantity of public sector fraud,” Olukoyede said.
He additional defined that fraud manifests in numerous kinds, reminiscent of commingling, contract splitting, and different unethical practices.
“Infrastructure-wise and all different developmental issues are attributable to contract and procurement fraud. It lies with you and with me to make a change. If we will work collectively, we can depart this nation higher than we met it,” he said.
He emphasised the necessity for collective efforts to fight corruption.
Olukoyede additionally careworn the significance of collaboration between the EFCC and BPP, notably in challenge implementation and monitoring.
He expressed optimism in regards to the BPP’s new management and the potential for stronger cooperation.
“So, I like your dedication, the brand new spirit you have got introduced into the company. We’re going to work collectively. We’re going to collaborate for the sake of this nation and for us to make sure that the 2025 price range is nicely applied and executed. There is no such thing as a hiding place for BPP. And there’s no hiding from the EFCC. That’s the reality,” Olukoyede remarked.
Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the brand new Director Normal of the Bureau of Public Procurement, outlined the Bureau’s dedication to reforming the procurement course of in Nigeria.
He assured the EFCC and Nigerians that the BPP, below his management, was embarking on a mission of rebirth.
“We’re right here to reassure you and your crew that we’re dedicated to creating your job simpler. We’re right here to reassure the 220 million Nigerians that they will fall asleep relating to how procurement is being completed. We wish to see that the EFCC can belief our paperwork with out having to doubt,” Adedokun said.
Adedokun emphasised the BPP’s dedication to transparency, assuring that they’re working to supply reliable paperwork for decision-making and fraud investigations.
“Paperwork which you could belief in your decision-making, in your investigation about fraud-related points and procurement. We’re right here as a result of we wish to be open when it comes to what we do and the way we do it. We wish to give Nigerians the reassurance that it’s now not enterprise as ordinary. And we have now began.”
Adedokun additionally expressed his imaginative and prescient for utilizing procurement as a instrument for good governance in Nigeria.
He emphasised the significance of guaranteeing that each expenditure on items, works, and providers is correctly accounted for.
