In a bid to enhance staff morale and improve the working conditions of its personnel, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced several significant moves to boost the welfare of its officers.
The commission’s leadership, under the direction of Chairman Ola Olukoyede, revealed these initiatives at the 2024 Rewards and Recognition ceremony held in Abuja on Saturday.
One of the key announcements was the promotion of nearly 900 EFCC officers, many of whom have been waiting for years. Olukoyede shared that some staff members had been in limbo for up to seven years without a promotion.
“We have approved the promotion of about 900 staff, some of whom have been awaiting promotion for about six or seven years,” Olukoyede disclosed at the event.
Another major development was the reinstatement of life and property insurance for EFCC operatives—an issue that had been neglected for the past 20 years.
The chairman expressed his commitment to addressing the longstanding insurance gap, saying, “We are also taking steps to solve the issues of insurance.
For 20 years, we have not had any life and property insurance. I believe that in another one or two months, we should be done with our life insurance and also the property insurance.”
In further support of its officers, the EFCC recently took delivery of 84 apartment units in Lagos’ prestigious Lekki area, which will be sold to staff members at cost price with no interest charged.
“They are going to be distributed and sold to staff at cost without charging one dime interest on the purchase cost of purchase value,” Olukoyede noted, reflecting the commission’s intent to offer more tangible support for its personnel.
The EFCC chairman also emphasized ongoing efforts to review officers’ pay and ensure that the cost of living is addressed. “I am working on a package to adjust the cost of living for officers. We should be unveiling that soon,” he stated.
Olukoyede also reaffirmed his determination to support the staff, even if it requires stretching the commission’s available resources.
“We are going to do everything possible to ensure that our welfare is well taken care of within the limits of our resources. Even if we have to stretch ourselves, I think we deserve it by virtue of the risk we take in this job.”
However, while the welfare of staff is a priority, Olukoyede also stressed the importance of maintaining integrity within the commission. He warned against those trying to tarnish the EFCC’s reputation.
“Indeed, this recognition coming at a time like this, when some bad eggs in our fold are trying to bring back the hand of the clock against our cherished values, is a morale booster,” Olukoyede said. “It shows that hard work pays, and integrity has good rewards.”
The ceremony also celebrated individual achievements, with Alvan Gurumnaan being awarded an SUV for emerging as the best staff member of the year.
In addition, 35 others received cash awards for their exceptional performance, and the Sokoto Zonal Directorate was named the Best Directorate of 2024.
With these moves, the EFCC aims to not only boost morale but also encourage a culture of accountability and excellence within the organization. “Excellence is not about doing things right once in a while. It is about doing things right at all times,”Olukoyede concluded.
