Olukoyede to SEDC: “Bring South East to limelight”

Mr Ola Olukoyede, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has urged the Executive Director of the South East Development Commission, SEDC, Mark Okoye to bring the South East region to limelight.

According to the chairman, Okoye should priorities the development of the region. He added that this could be achieved through maximising the potential of its market economy while delivering on his mandate to the people.

He gave this charge recently in Abuja when he received the management of the SEDC at the corporate headquarters of the EFCC.

The EFCC boss assured the SEDC’s delegation of the commission`s support and collaboration to ensure that it succeeds. He added that he would help the development agency with the template of the EFCC`s Fraud Risk Assessment to guide its operation.

“I thank the President for the various regional development Commissions that he created as an avenue for development. Because one of the keys to development is to allow regions to look inwards and utilise their potential. We assure you that we will collaborate with you. We will support you to succeed. This is so you can bring the Southeast to the limelight. You got what it takes to drive the economy, encourage outsiders too to come in and invest so the region can expand”, he said.

Olukoyede further stated that he will help the SEDC to implement the Fraud Risk Assessment template “This will help you so that you don’t run into trouble and to help you deliver on your mandate, and in the area of assets support, we are ready to work with you. We will look at it by the time you put it into writing. Be assured of our support and collaboration.”

Earlier in his speech, the SEDC boss stated that the reason for his visit was to cultivate extensive stakeholders’ engagement for support, collaboration and partnership.

He commended Olukoyede for bringing new initiatives and energy to the anti-corruption fight, maintaining that it is clear to everyone that there is new energy in the EFCC.

“This is our 130th day in office. we request strong collaboration and partnership to enable us to deliver on our mandate to the people. Our work is to foster reconstruction and rehabilitation in the South-East after agitation for 54 years.”

 We thank Mr President for approving the request after 54 years. Under one year into his administration, we were nominated. That’s why we want to drive this Commission with seriousness and commitment. We have set up a road map to help us achieve this, ”he said.

Continuing, “We want to make the South-East a major destination for commerce and investment. Some of our programs include Southeast Intervention and Prevention Initiative. Others are the Southeast Mechanised Initiative Programme, Southeast Regional Industrial Program, and Southeast Venture Capital Program, among others.”

“We want to set a Standard as pioneers for those coming behind to maintain. We need your support to enable us to adopt a high level of integrity,” he said.