The Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Zacch Adedeji has identified the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as an important government agency to partner with in the Council’s effort to ensure that Nigeria attains self sufficiency in sugar production through the implementation of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP).
Mr. Adedeji dropped this hint today when he led some members of the NSDC top management team on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The Council boss who congratulated Mr. Bawa on his appointment as head of the anti-graft agency, also applauded the commission’s tireless efforts towards ridding the country of both economic and financial crimes, which according him are twin evils that have stampeded Nigeria’s development and growth over the years.
Mr. Adedeji said the Council is currently implementing a 10-year sugar roadmap code-named the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan which its major objective is for Nigeria to attain self sufficiency in the local production of sugar for local consumption and export.
“We are working hard to turnaround the fortunes of the sugar sector. We’ve identified the EFCC as an important partner in our resolve to address certain challenges, especially as it relates to tackling sharp practices and sabotage by individuals or groups in the sector. The EFCC is empowered by our laws to handle issues relating to economic fraud. We have mooted the idea of establishing a Sugar Intelligence Desk to comprise of the NSDC, EFCC, Customs and other relevant MDAs in other to track and monitor sugar related activities on and off the ports”.
On his part, the EFCC boss pledged the commission’s readiness to offer technical assistance and supports to government agencies in their resolve to operate within the confines of economic and financial rules and regulations.
“We are here to work with the Council 100 percent. Feel free to contact us on issues that border on economic and financial crimes. This is the only country we have. It is our responsibility to rid it of any form of crime. Let’s work as partners in this regards”.
Highpoint of the visit was the formal decoration of the Executive Secretary, Mr. Adedeji and members of his delegation as Ambassadors of the EFCC by Mr. Bawa.
