BY OWOLOLA ADEBOLA
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said that it will not ignore issues of corruption in communities across the country. Usman Imam, Head of the EFCC Zonal office in Port Harcourt made the declaration on Friday June 19, 2020 when he received members of a community-based Non- Governmental Organisation, Pius Dukur Foundation in his office. “We do not ignore community cases. When we hear that community funds are being diverted, we pick interest because we are conscious of the difference which such funds could make in the lives of the people at the grassroots”, he said.
He expressed the Commission’s willingness to partner with grassroots- based NGOs in fighting corruption at the local level.
Earlier in his remarks, the president of the Pius Dukur Foundation, Mr. Pius Dukur commended the efforts of the EFCC Zonal office in fighting corruption in the entire South South Zone. He said through the Commission’s efforts the level of impunity especially at the local government level has been reduced. Yet, he maintains that concerted efforts are required to weed out all vestiges of corruption at the grassroots level.
He pledged the Foundation’s preparedness to partner with the Commission in the delicate task of fighting corruption in the region. “We have come to say that we will continue to collaborate with you, when you have programmes, don’t hesitate to invite us. At the same time, when we have our own programmes we will expect you to send some of your officials to speak to us.