Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has sought stronger collaboration with the Zamfara Government to strengthen public procurement processes and promote financial accountability.
Olukoyede made the call while delivering a lecture at the 30th anniversary celebration of Zamfara in Gusau on Friday.
The EFCC chairman’s lecture, titled: “Responsibility and Accountability in Transformational Governance,” was delivered as part of the activities marking the state’s 30th anniversary.
He said the collaboration would also help Zamfara to unlock its vast mineral resources for economic prosperity.
According to him, the partnership would promote transparency, accountability and responsible business practices while strengthening public confidence in the state’s economy.
He identified public procurement as one of the areas of government operations most vulnerable to corruption, citing contract splitting, over-invoicing and the award of contracts to companies in which public officials or their associates had interests.
Olukoyede noted that the agency’s procurement monitoring and investigation mechanisms could assist state agencies to investigate such violations and ensure value for money in government projects.
He advocated stronger enforcement of public service regulations and financial management rules, including the investigation of audit queries, to prevent financial misconduct and protect public resources.
The chairman said the commission would assist the state to prevent corrupt practices in both the public and private sectors and build confidence in Zamfara’s business environment.
He urged business operators to conduct their activities responsibly and transparently, honour their tax obligations and support government efforts to generate revenue for infrastructure and other development projects.
Olukoyede urged the Zamfara government to strengthen transparency and accountability by making public its revenue and expenditure records, particularly funds allocated to capital projects.
The chairman reiterated the commission’s stance on recovering public funds diverted by individuals and groups across MDAs.
He said the efforts had led to the recovery of more than N1.2 trillion and $685 million in the last three years.
Olukoyede said the recoveries had provided substantial fiscal support to the different tiers of government and contributed to ongoing economic reforms by returning resources that would otherwise have been lost to corruption and financial crimes.
The chairman highlighted the conviction of a former Minister of Power to 75 years imprisonment over corruption involving the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
According to him, out of the N32 billion allocated to one of the projects, N29 billion was diverted for personal purposes, including the acquisition of properties.
Olukoyede, therefore, urged the Zamfara government to intensify public enlightenment among civil servants and political office holders on the dangers and consequences of corruption.
He emphasised that the diversion of funds meant for road construction, healthcare, education and other critical infrastructure could result in preventable deaths and undermine development.
Olukoyede disclosed that the commission had uncovered several illegal mining and mineral-processing operations across the country.
According to him, a recent special operation in Lagos led to the discovery of a mineral-processing factory containing a large quantity of processed lithium allegedly intended for export without the payment of appropriate duties and other statutory obligations.
He said several Chinese nationals had been arrested in connection with the operation and were currently in the commission’s custody.
The EFCC boss urged the Zamfara government to promote whistleblowing through the implementation of the National Whistleblowing Policy and the commission’s ‘Eagle Eye’ reporting platform.
In his remarks, Gov. Dauda Lawal said his administration would examine and adopt relevant recommendations from papers presented at the anniversary lecture to strengthen governance, accountability, community security and socio-economic development.
Lawal described the creation of Zamfara on Oct. 1, 1996, as the fulfilment of the long-standing aspirations of the people to bring government closer to them and improve access to essential services.
He said 30 years after its creation, the anniversary provided an opportunity for the state to reflect on its journey, assess the challenges that had shaped its development and identify strategies for a better future.
The governor noted that the anniversary theme: “Reflections, Achievements and the Future,” was deliberately designed to encourage meaningful intellectual engagement beyond ceremonial celebrations.
He thanked the scholars, professors, public servants, invited guests and other stakeholders who participated in the anniversary lecture.
Lawal noted that the lecture addressed critical areas of governance, including public accountability, community participation in security and peacebuilding, preservation of history and culture, as well as the relationship between security and socio-economic development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted speakers, professors, top government officials, members of the National Assembly and traditional rulers among others.
