NLNG backs EFCC anti-graft war, seeks stronger corporate collaboration

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, Engr. Leye Falade, has applauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for what he described as impressive progress in Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight, pledging the company’s continued support for transparency and ethical business practices.

Falade gave the commendation during a courtesy visit by NLNG’s top management team to the EFCC corporate headquarters, where he met with the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

The NLNG boss said the anti-graft agency’s efforts in tackling economic sabotage and financial crimes were critical to creating a stable business environment for responsible corporate organisations operating in Nigeria.

“I want to acknowledge the great strides that have been made in the fight against economic sabotage and financial crimes. I think it can only be left to imagination what you face as you do this on a national level,” Falade said.

“I want to personally, on behalf of the company, appreciate your tenacity, courage and your commitment. We feel and understand you; we appreciate what you have to do in this duty, and we’re grateful for that because without that, we would not be safeguarded to do the work that we need to do.”

He noted that NLNG understood the difficult environment under which the EFCC operates, stressing that the agency’s actions were helping to restore “sanity and hygiene” in the Nigerian business space.

“We recognize the environment in which you work, we know things are tough. This is an appreciation for what you’re doing to help us have some sanity and hygiene in what we do and how we do things,” he added.

Falade also disclosed that NLNG had institutionalised strong internal governance systems and ethical compliance frameworks to ensure transparency, accountability and adherence to both local and international standards.

“We are guided by ethics and ethos that will not only stand in Nigeria, but outside the country. We are proud to say that as a company we will continue to be above board.

“We are very much aligned with your aspirations. You can be sure that as a company we’re very much in the trenches with you,” he stated.

Responding, Olukoyede described NLNG as one of Nigeria’s flagship energy companies and acknowledged the strategic importance of the oil and gas sector to the country’s economic survival.

“Without oil and gas, probably Nigeria will not be standing today,” the EFCC chairman said.

He also commended NLNG for sustaining ethical corporate values over the years despite previous disagreements between both organisations.

“The EFCC had a frosty relationship with the NLNG at some point, but the issues were resolved eventually,” Olukoyede said, while pledging stronger cooperation with the Falade-led management.

According to him, the Commission’s mandate goes beyond enforcement to include prevention, collaboration and public awareness.

“Our mandate is not only to enforce, we also prevent, collaborate and create awareness. So, we are always willing to collaborate with corporate entities like yours that contribute substantially towards the GDP of Nigeria,” he said.

Olukoyede further disclosed that the EFCC established a Fraud Risk Assessment and Control Department, FRAC, about two years ago to help Ministries, Departments, Agencies and private organisations identify and reduce fraud risks.

“With FRAC we go into the MDAs, we look into their fraud risk and see how we can work with them to ensure that we reduce such risks.

“If there are issues of the internal compromise of your processes that would lead to fraud or fraudulent activities which your internal processes may not be able to handle effectively, we will be able to support your organization,” he added.