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Seeks Partnership with EFCC
- Safiu Kehinde
The Accountant-General of The Federation (AGF) Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, has disclosed leakages and shortages in Nigeria’s revenue stream as he called on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, to assist his office in blocking the loopholes.
The AGF requested the EFCC’s partnership in order to ensure provision of fund for the 2025 budget and ensure a saner and sound financial system in Nigeria.
Ogunjimi made the request on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the EFCC’s Corporate Headquarters, Abuja.
As contained in a statement issued by the EFCC on Wednesday, Olujimi stressed that the OAGF and EFCC share common and mutually- beneficial interests, adding that his office cannot achieve better results without effective collaboration with the EFCC.
“It is because of the strategic position of this office to our organization, that is, the OAGF, that we feel that we cannot go further or achieve better results without effective collaboration with this Commission.
“Currently, the country is witnessing a lot in terms of revenue leakages and shortages and so we believe that for us to be able to perform or achieve our own mandate, we need your support and collaboration.” he said.
The AGF further stated he needed the support of the EFCC to be able to trace fraudulent transactions and block leakages in order to be able to fund the budget and pay salaries.
On his part, Olukoyede pledged the Commission’s commitment and support in blocking and stopping leakages in Ministries, Department and Agencies adding that the EFCC will ensure and create a saner and sound financial system in Nigeria.
“We want to pledge our commitment and support to ensure that we create a saner and sound financial system in Nigeria. That is part of our mandate.
“So, we share similar mandate and it is also important for us to also be able to do our activities in the most accountable and transparent manner.” He said.
Olukoyede stated that through collaboration, both the EFCC and OAGF can manage and harness Nigeria’s abundant resources, thereby funding various projects in the country.
“It lies in your hands and my hand to ensure that we come together to do things together, we can do it, we can block the leakages, by virtue of my experience in office and what we have seen.
“I believe Nigeria is highly resourceful, if we can put them together, manage our resources, we will be okay, we will be able to fund those projects,” he said.