EFCC Wants N18.9bn Headquarters Completed

SAN FRANCISCO, March 05, (THEWILL) - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Wednesday appealed to the House of Representatives to appropriate adequate funds for the completion of its headquarters in Abuja.

EFCC chairman, Mr.
Ibrahim Lamorde, made the appeal when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes to defend the 2014 budget proposal.

He said the contract for the headquarters was awarded at the cost N18.

9 billion, but that total payment as at 25th February, 2014 stood at N9.

48 billion.
He added that while 2014 was the anticipated year of completion, the budget office only allocated the sum of N1.

2 billion for the project.
He explained that its proposed estimates of N21.
06 billion was reduced to N10.
25 billion by the Budget Office, leaving a difference of N10.

81 billion.
According to him, the Commission is currently using seven rented facilities located at different areas of the FCT, thereby increasing its burden of utility bills.

Responding, chairman of the committee, Hon.
Jagaba Adams Jagaba, warned the EFCC chairman against offering himself to be used by politicians to witch-hunt opponents and perceived enemies.

He commended the commission on the number of conviction it has achieved, saying 'based on the number of cases prosecuted last year, we say thank you.

But don't allow yourself to be used by anyone for political reasons.

The same way you treat a PDP man should be the same you treat an APC man.

EFCC cannot afford to lose the reputation it had so far gathered.

" He also tasked the Commission on personnel training, especially its civilian staff as a way of forestalling paucity of experienced staff members in the event that the supporting personnel from the country's security agencies are withdrawn from the Commission.

He assured that the committee would liaise with its Senate's counterpart to ensure urgent completion of the Commission's headquarters.

n SAINT MUGAGA, ABUJA