The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs (FMSDIGA), Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, today led a high-level delegation on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja. The visit aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration in monitoring and certifying government-funded projects nationwide.
In his address, Dr. Ihemelandu commended the EFCC for its relentless efforts in the fight against corruption and financial crimes, emphasizing the vital role the Commission plays in ensuring transparency and accountability across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He expressed readiness for robust collaboration with the EFCC to enhance the oversight of Zonal Intervention and Constituency Projects (ZIP/CP), which are frequently vulnerable to misrepresentation, substandard execution, and abandonment.
Highlighting the core mandates of FMSDIGA, Dr. Ihemelandu noted that the Ministry is tasked with verifying and certifying completed projects implemented by various MDAs before payment is made. However, operational challenges such as vague project locations, inadequate supervision by implementing MDAs, and limited access to independent verification tools have created gaps that need urgent attention.
To this end, the Permanent Secretary proposed a framework of collaboration with the EFCC that includes:
Joint investigation and monitoring of high-value or questionable projects;
Access to EFCC intelligence where fraud is suspected;
Cross-referencing project sites with EFCC field officers;
Capacity building of Ministry staff on forensic verification and fraud detection;
Establishment of anonymous whistleblower channels for citizens.
Dr. Ihemelandu also used the opportunity to urge the EFCC to recommend that all ZIP/CP projects be re-domiciled under FMSDIGA for more efficient oversight, in line with the revised guidelines recently issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The Ministry expressed its unwavering commitment to transparency and effective service delivery, reaffirming that every Naira spent must deliver meaningful impact to the Nigerian people.
The PS stressed the importance of having a liaison officer from EFCC to work directly with the Ministry in achieving these shared objectives.
Responding, the Secretary to the Commission, Mohammad Hammajoda appreciated the PS and his delegations for the visit, assuring them that both agencies work for the government so there is need for collaboration to enable effective service delivery.
“Whatever that is humanly possible to support your work we will give to you. You also have to go to all your stakeholders to also collaborate with you as well. Go back to the National Assembly, Accountant General of the Federation and also Budget Office and align with them to finetune a framework that will allow you function properly. On our own part, in terms of the monitoring of ZIP/CP we have a full –fledged Department called the Fraud Risk Assessment and Control that will give you all the support you need, let us know and we will go with you anytime you are ready” he said.
Signed
Mandal Francis M.
for: Head of Press and public Relations Unit
10th July, 2025
