GIABA calls for action
The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), an international financial action task force which started in 2006, has stated that affirmative action is needed to fight economic crimes in the region.
On November 14-15, the GIABA 2007 Open House was held in Abuja. The theme of the Open House was “Preventing money laundering, terrorist financing and drug trafficking in West Africa: A collective responsibility”.
The Director General of GIABA, Dr. Abdullahi Shehu, claimed that governments are to sensitize their citizens on the threats to the economies, financial and political systems in West Africa that can be caused by money laundering.
Dr. Shehu said that GIABA must not allow West Africa to be used by criminals and therefore decisive action is needed not to let economy destroy or become vulnerable.
He said that GIABA was important at the highest echelon of governments as it assisted them to eradicate money laundering the region.