DG PAWECA makes clarifications over arrests, says suspects not agency staff
The Director-General of the Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA), Dr. Michael Zirra, has clarified reports surrounding recent arrests made in connection with the disbursement of the N2 billion Fintiri Wallet empowerment scheme.
Reacting to an earlier report which suggested that five staff members of the agency were apprehended over alleged name-swapping and other malpractices, Dr. Zirra explained that the individuals in question were not employees of PAWECA.
According to him, the suspects were impostors who had been using the agency’s name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
“Those arrested are not our staff,” the DG bluntly said.
He said the agency had received intelligence about the activities of the syndicate and promptly set up a trap in collaboration with security agencies, which led to their arrest.
Dr. Zirra assured that PAWECA remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the overall success of the Fintiri led government drive to empower the citizens and to reduce poverty in the state.
He further cautioned the public to beware of individuals claiming to be staff of the agency or requesting money for inclusion in any empowerment programme, stressing that all PAWECA initiatives are free and guided by due process.
