The British Department for International Development on Thursday appraised the work of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and disclosed that its activities are crucial to the growth and development of Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, DFID, Mr. Mark Lowucock, while on a courtesy call to the Acting Chairman, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, expressed his agency’s desire to continue to work with the EFCC in its task of fighting graft.
Lowucock said: “The work of the EFCC is fantastically important for Nigeria.
“Britain is keen in supporting Nigeria in all the programmes.
“We are collaborating with Nigeria, especially with the EFCC, as it will help in moving Nigeria forward.
“We think the work of the EFCC is one of the most important thing going on in Nigeria at the moment because the way resources are being used in the country is not optimal for the citizens of the country and the EFCC is a big part of the solution and that is the reason we are supporting you.”
Responding, Lamorde expressed appreciation to the DFID for its support and assistance to the EFCC right from the inception of the commission.
He said: “The growth and achievements we are recording could not have been made possible without the British government and the DFID.
“You have always assisted us in our investigations.
“Some of our departments like the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, the Information and Communication Unit, the ICT, have all benefited from your support and assistance.
“We hope to continue to collaborate with you in the pursuit of our mandate.”
Lowucock was accompanied on his visit to the EFCC by Katie Wambui, Assistant Private Secretary; Julius Corn, Head, Governance; Jens Peter, Governance Adviser; and Richard Montgomery, Country Director.