The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede has charged the management of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) on the need to prioritize integrity and accountability in the company’s operations as the public service “is a privilege that demands unwavering commitment to probity”.
Olukoyede gave the charge in Abuja on Tuesday when the management team of the company, led by the Managing Director, Engr. Jennifer Adighije, paid him a courtesy visit at the EFCC’s headquarters.
He said: “I advise you not to do anything you cannot defend tomorrow. We have seen situations where people were recalled 20 years after leaving public service to answer for what they did while in office. Positions of trust demand utmost transparency and accountability.”
Noting that the EFCC and NDPHC are involved in tackling two of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, namely corruption and power, the anti-graft agency chief explained that addressing the two core national problems would greatly help in advancing the country’s development.
According to him, “If the problems of power and energy are fixed, 77 percent of Nigeria’s problems would have been solved and the country will be out of its troubles
Olukoyede commended the NDPHC management’s commitment to due process and preparedness to strengthen its regulatory compliance and pledged the assistance of the Commission to the company in instances where its contractors fall short in their contractual obligations to it.
He assured: “If you have awarded contracts and some people have not performed, or if some of your power stations have been given to certain people to maintain but they have violated financial laws, procurement processes, or other regulations, let us know.”
The EFCC’s chief pointed out that collaboration between the commission and NDPHC would prevent corrupt contractors from handling contracts of the company and promote transparency in the processes.
Earlier in her remarks, the NDPHC’s boss harped on its commitment to maintaining strict adherence to transparency, legal and regulatory frameworks as well as a desire to forge cooperation with the EFCC.
She said: “We are here first to familiarize ourselves with the agency and to seek your cooperation while being guided by extant laws and regulations.”
