EFCC CAN STILL SAVE NIGERIANS’ JOB
Economic and Financial Crime commission (EFCC) is established to combat financial and economic crimes. It is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of its Act of establishment and other laws and regulations for economic and financial crime.
As we encourage them to be more responsive in their duties, we also advise them to come up with modalities that will ensure no more job lose for Nigerian citizens in carrying out their duties.
We, the youths are concerned with the rate of unemployment in our dear country, and while the Commission should avoid worsening the already pathetic situation in the process of carrying out their legal duties.
The House of Representative on the 28th day of February 2013, witnessed a motion authored by 16 lawmakers, moved by Hon. Okechukwu Toby; in the motion they contended that there were lots of unsettling issues surrounding seized assets by the EFCC. The lawmakers revealed that the forfeited assets, estimated at over two trillion naira comprised landed properties and business concerns, bank accounts, shares in blue chip companies, exotic vehicles, fuel stations, hotels, warehouses, chopping malls, schools, bakeries, housing estates and radio stations in and outside Nigeria.
The above list can go on and on for I know of a telecommunication company that was also seized by the EFCC and in most of all these seizures, the employees lost their jobs, for the Commission normally clamps down the activities of these establishments. In the process, most of the establishments rot and turn to be its own shadows, what a waste!
For any property seized, it takes time for the commission to ascertain/determine the status of such property because of court processes, as such; we suggest that the commission adopt a Two-Managerial approach for such properties. The first should be applied at the point of seizure, when the property has not attained forfeiture status and the second applied when such property is forfeited to the Federal Government. This will keep the property operational and economically viable, especially employee-oriented establishments.
The Nigerian citizens should not be made to experience loss of jobs for the simple fact that EFCC is doing their work. Should raiding on suspected corrupt persons increase the rate of unemployment in Nigeria? If no, then, modalities should be worked out in ensuring Nigerians working in any seized or forfeited properties still maintain their jobs. The country should not be cursed by such seizure/forfeiture, rather should benefit from it. If the Commission should allow such rot in these properties to continue, then, what is the difference rescuing proceeds of corruption and allowing same to waste through rot, devaluation and abandonment. This will not serve us well as a country. Imagine seeing a situation where the entire inactive seized/forfeited employee-oriented establishments are resuscitated, can you figure out the impact on our economy and unemployment rate?
The Commission needs to get the services of Professional Managers, perhaps, in partnership with Nigeria institute for Management (NIM) (Chartered) to oversee these establishments and also mandate them to submit their records of all financial transactions to Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) office of the Commission. Retaining the jobs will enhance our economy and will reduce security challenges in our country.
Odor Michael C.
Unemployment Graduates Association of Nigeria (UGAN)
uganfct@gmail.com