…Tracking 1,251 contracts awarded in 2019, 2020
By Seun Adams
In its renewed drive for speedy recovery of diverted project funds, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has released its toll-free number and contact even it urged members of the community to offer lead that will lead to the recovery of diverted funds.
Meanwhile, the Commission is currently on the trail and track of over 1,251 constituency and executive projects awarded since 2019 and 2020.
The Spokesperson for the Commission, Mrs. Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, in a statement on Tuesday said: “The Commission is following up the first 2 phases of the projects with the community sensitization and enlightenment programmes, receipt, and handling of enquiries on the toll-free number (0800-CALL-ICPC/0800-2255-4272) and info@icpc.gov.ng.
She acknowledged that some cases of diversion of project funds from the first 2 phases are being investigated.
Ogugua, said the tracking of constituency and executive projects is an initiative of the Commission began in 2019, focusing on how well money allocated to critical sectors of education, health, agriculture, water resources and power by the government are utilized.
According to her, the first phase of the exercise was held in 2019 in 12 states and the FCT and saw the tracking of 524 projects. The second phase in 2020 had about 822 projects tracked in 16 states.
The first 2 phases led to the recovery of assets worth billions of Naira to the government, return of equipment to communities for whom they were meant.
She however, acknowledged that about 300 contractors returned to sites and completed hitherto shoddily done or abandoned projects. The exercise led to revelation that some projects were excellently and completely executed.
“Phase 3 of the constituency and executive projects tracking exercise is slated to take place in 17 states – Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Yobe, Adamawa, Plateau and Kogi.
“Others are Benue, Ondo, Osun, Lagos, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Edo, Anambra and Imo States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“The focus, as in the previous years, will be on priority sectors of agriculture, education, power, health and water resources.” She said.
Ogugua, said the objective of the tracking exercise of 1,251 projects executed within the 2019 and 2020 is to ensure that the Appropriation Act is fully implemented as contemplated by law, monitor the implementation of the projects from inception to completion, make recoveries on projects/contracts confirmed to have been inflated, and investigate fraudulent procurement practices in the award of contracts for constituency and executive projects.
“The reason is to improve service delivery to the people, ensure the full execution of all projects, guarantee value for money in the implementation of the projects and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in the implementation of the projects, and increase recovery of public funds into government coffers, among others.
“The Commission hopes to close the gap between expenditure and development and the swallowing of scarce government resources characterized by shoddy handling of constituency projects through its enforcement and preventive mandate.” The Commission acknowledged the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Budget Office of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bureau of Public Procurement, civil society organizations, the media, grassroots community development associations and other critical stakeholders.
