From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Former member of the House of Representatives and Amadabo of Kemmer-Ama, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Israel Sunny Goli, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for their recent investigations, prosecutions of graft cases, and fight against corruption.
Sunny-Goli, who represented the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives applauded the EFCC for the thorough investigation into the $35 million fraud concerning the 2,000 barrels per day (BPD) Atlantic Refinery project in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The monarch, in a commendation letter addressed to the EFCC chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, said the arrests of Mr. Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, and former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Kesiye Wabote, had instilled hope among the people and bolstered confidence in the EFCC.
According to him, public confidence in the EFCC under President Tinubu and Olukoyede had grown significantly due to a new course of transparency, focus, and zeal in the operations of the foremost anti-graft agency.
“While the arrest of the aforementioned individuals is a positive development, I respectfully request the investigation of the board chairman of the NCDMB and its members for their potential complicity in approving the award of the contract to an entity with no known track record for the construction of a 2,000BPD modular refinery in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area.
“Nothing would be more gratifying to the people of Brass Local Government Area than to see everyone involved in the perpetration of this $35 million fraud brought to justice, with every stolen dime refunded so that the project can be executed for the benefit of all,” he stated in the letter.
Sunny-Goli praised Tinubu for his unwavering stance against corruption, noting that his firm position has expedited the investigation and arrest of those involved in grand larceny while holding public trust.
“Such a resolute approach by the President serves as a deterrent to other public office holders. It is disheartening that, despite the government’s good intentions towards its citizens, those entrusted with implementing policies for the benefit of the people are choosing to corruptly enrich themselves at the expense of the populace,” he added.