The Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has promised appropriation of funds in the 2017 budget towards ensuring that the timelines set for the completion of the head office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are met by December.
Dogara gave the assurance on Tuesday during an inspection visit to assess the progress of work at the site.
He said: “Our conviction is that where the EFCC currently operates does not give the good impression to first time visitors in Nigeria or people who come to Nigeria to interface with the agency as it is said that first impression counts a lot.
“I will be the happiest person to see that the EFCC resumes operation in the new building by December.”
According to him, it was necessary to complete the project in order to provide conducive environment for the Commission and also to show that government was fully ready to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.
His words: “The President had in his inaugural address said that he would kill corruption before corruption kills us in Nigeria.
“The only frontline agency that is charged with the responsibility of combating corruption is the EFCC.
“It is only proper that when citizens of other countries and even Nigerians come to where EFCC operates, to see clearly that the environment under which they operate speaks to the fact that as a nation, we are more than determined to confront this cancer called corruption.”
Dogara expressed delight over the progress of work so far, saying: “I am satisfied and motivated.
“As a parliamentarian, it is my joy to see this project completed as soon as possible.”
The Managing Director, Julius Berger Construction Company, Wolfgang Goetsch, observed that the major challenge affecting the pace of work is funding.
Goetsch said if funds are consistently made available, the project would be completed by December.
The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, thanked the Speaker and his entourage for the visit and promised to leave no stone unturned in cleansing Nigeria of corruption.
On the visit were the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Mustafa Bala Dawaki; and the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, Kayode Oladele.
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