We’ll invest recovered funds in social programme, Kwara promises
The Ilorin Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday presented a sum of N112 million recovered from treasury looters to the Kwara State governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
Speaking during the presentation at the office of the EFCC in Ilorin, the Zonal Head, Isyaku Sharu said the Zone which started its operations in February has achieved a lot in terms of assets recovery and conviction of corrupt individuals.
“We have 29 convictions and over N500 million recovery for both assets and cash; part of this recovery is the N111,428,891 recovered for the Kwara state government.
“This recovery is from suspected Kwara State treasury looters. The suspects allegedly misappropriated landed properties of Harmony Holdings while others diverted funds meant for micro small and medium enterprises credit scheme. The suspects cut across political office holders, traditional rulers and top civil servants,” he said.
He added that he was mandated by the acting chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu, to present a draft for the recovered fund, while assuring of the agency’s steadfastness in ridding the state of all acts of corruption and other economic crimes.
In his response, Governor Abdulrazaq thanked the EFCC and disclosed that the cash will be used for the social investment programme in the state to lift poor people out of poverty.
“By the grace of God, this money will go into social investment programme of the state. It is going into lifting thousands of people out of poverty. We are not going to award contracts with this money. It is going to help the poor people,” AbdulRazaq said.
He commended the anti-graft body for their efforts and service to the country, assuring that the funds would only go into serving the downtrodden. He also called on Kwarans to continue to support the body.
“We thank the EFCC for what they are doing. We are happy that in our state you keep us on our toes. Unlike what many people may perceive, EFCC are partners in progress all over the federation. So we should join hands with them and assist them,” he said.
AbdulRazaq said Kwara under him is replicating many of the Federal Government’s programme to make life better for the people, adding that the state’s Social Investment Programme Bill is already with the State House of Assembly.
“We are replicating many of Federal Government programme in Kwara especially the social investment programme, which people know as Trader moni, market moni, N-power and school feeding programme. The Social Investment Programme Bill has already passed second reading and this money will go into the programme. We are not going to waste or mismanage it,” he added.