BPE, EFCC Strengthen Ties to Curb Financial Crimes

By James Emejo

The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have renewed their commitment to strengthen the standards of integrity and transparency in the reforms and privatisation transactions of both the National Council on Privatisation(NCP) and the Bureau.

The acting Director General of BPE, Mr. Vincent Onome Akpotaire said the prevalence of financial crimes across the world explained the urgency and necessity for the relationship between both agencies to be strengthened and engender seamless transactions.

Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the privatisation agency to the EFCC, Akpotaire, however, commended the efforts of the anti-graft agency in managing issues of financial crimes and pledged the support of the Bureau.

He stressed that the continuity in seamless interface between the two agencies in the course of the Bureau’s transactions had been of immense benefit.

Specifically, he attributed the success recorded in the power privatisation transaction to its collaboration with the anti-graft agency, whereby high standards of transparency was maintained.

He further sought for the installation of a desk officer from the EFCC in BPE, arguing that such initiative would ensure the EFCC’s oversight of BPE transactions from the inception to the final stage of transactions.

He also recommended workshops and inter-agency training programmes between both parties to ensure the agencies are frequently updated with transaction processes.

Responding, the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu also reaffirmed the need to strengthen trust in the minds of both local and international communities regarding public office functions.

He expressed appreciation for the cordial relationship currently existing between both parties and gave an assurance of continued partnership.

He said the existing partnership was critical to executing the EFCC’s mandate to curtail financial crimes and promote transparency in financial transactions.