Olukoyede: Compliance Failures Fuelling Graft in MDAs

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede has identified the lack of compliance with best practices, rules and regulation as one of the major factors responsible for corruption in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the country.

Olukoyede made the observation yesterday, in Abuja, while addressing a delegation from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) led by its Executive Vice Chairman, Khalil Halilu at the Commission’s headquarters.

The EFCC’s chairman, according to a statement, noted that government agencies and private concerns in Nigeria are falling short of compliance with established regulations, making them prone to compromises, abuses and corruption. 

“If there’s anything most of our MDAs are lacking, it is the issue of compliance. We don’t comply, and that is a problem. There is lack of compliance in the process of award of contract, management processes, financial regulations and all that.

“Most agencies don’t comply and that’s what leads to corruption and financial crimes. When you don’t comply, it’s a breach. And the moment there is a breach, it gives room for anything.

“And you will discover that others who have been waiting and watching you will now take advantage of that and perpetrate more evil that you can never envisage,” the statement signed by the EFCC’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale said.

While applauding the current NASENI leadership for its strides and especially for developing Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in conjunction with the EFCC, Olukoyede noted that the readiness of NASENI staff to be guided by the documents was of more paramount importance.