….Budget: EFCC proposes ₦76.586bn for 2024
ASHENEWS reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has proposed ₦76.586 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.
The anti-graft agency presented the proposal to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Crime on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
The proposed budget represents a 53.48% increase over and above the Commission’s 2023 appropriation of ₦49.901 billion.
In the budget estimate, a total of ₦37.074 billion was proposed as personnel cost, ₦14.513 billion as overhead cost and ₦25 billion as capital cost.
Presenting the budget, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stated that the 2024 proposed estimate of ₦76.486 billion represented a significant increase over the 2023’s ₦49.901 billion budget, owing to additional funds needed for overhead, personnel and capital costs.
“This increase is solely attributable to the increase in personnel cost from ₦36.834billion to ₦37.074billion in 2024, overhead cost from ₦10.535billion to ₦14.513billion in 2024 and capital cost from “2.531billion to ₦25 billion in 2024,” he said.
Commenting on the 2023 budget performance, Olukoyede, explained that ₦36.835 billion was appropriated as the Commission’s personnel cost for the year, “out of this figure, the sum of ₦28.452 billion representing 77% has been released for the payment of salary and allowances of staff on the Commission’s payroll between January and November 2023. He added that the “the sum of ₦7.024 billion representing 67% of the ₦10.535 billion appropriated for the Commission for its overhead cost in 2023 has so far been released.”
The EFCC Chairman further stated that the Commission’s request for additional funds for overhead is due to high cost of air travel ticket, motor vehicle fuel cost, diesel cost and high cost of maintenance of buildings, operational vehicles and office equipment in the headquarters and fourteen Zonal Commands.
He appreciated the Committee’s support for the Commission in the discharge of its duties and the successes it is achieving in the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.
Responding, Chairman, House Committee on Financial crimes, Ginger Obinna stated that financial crimes pose a significant threat to the stability and progress of any economy.
“In recent years, our nation has witnessed a surge in sophisticated financial crimes that demand our immediate attention and robust defense mechanisms. From money laundering to cybercrimes, the challenges are multifaceted and ever-evolving.
“It is our duty to stay ahead of these threats, adapt our strategies and equip ourselves adequately to counteract the forces that seek to undermine our economic wellbeing and that of our nation.”
He stated that the budget’s defence and discussions on issues related to it was a reflection of the Committee’s commitment to creating an environment where citizens can trust the financial institutions that drive the economy and which will empower the EFCC to carry out its vital duty.
“It is a pledge to provide the necessary resources to empower the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to carry out its vital mission effectively,” he said.
