EFCC Partners WFP to Check Corruption at IDP Camps

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has expressed its readiness to partner with the World Food Programme, WFP, in order to facilitate unhindered administration of its intervention efforts.

To this end, the EFCC is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the WFP to identify areas of collaboration and operational risks as they partner.

The acting Chairman EFCC, Ibrahim Magu made this known on Thursday, October 13, 2016 while playing host to a delegation of the WFP who was at the Commission’s Head Office, Abuja on a visit.

He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to providing support for the WFP’s efforts in granting relief in cash and items to the most vulnerable area in the North east.

The EFCC boss assured that measures would be put in place to ensure that relief items and food would no longer be diverted at the Internally Displaced Persons’, IDP, camps.

“We are willing to partner with you to render any assistance you desire. We have offices in all the geopolitical areas across the country. Anytime you need our help, we are there for you”, Magu assured.

Earlier, Bernadin Assiene, Director, UN World Food Programme, Office of Inspections and Investigations, while seeking ways for collaboration said that, “there is risk of fraud and corruption as WFP source food from Nigerian produce.”

Assienne, who said that the visit was a follow-up to the one earlier made on October 13, 2016, disclosed that the Programme's focus was to provide food assistance with humanitarian and social objectives.

He added that, "the WFP has zero tolerance for corruption, and we are duty bound to ensure transparency in the administration of our interventions in any country where our activities are extended.”

The Deputy Regional Director, WFP, Peter Musoko, while appreciating the Commission for its commitment said that the project was targeted towards reaching 750,000 vulnerable people who are from the North East

He disclosed that the Programme had adapted a cash based transfer to assist the most vulnerable area, adding that it had so far reached more than 300,000 beneficiaries.