ICPC Recovers Constituency Projects Worth Billions of Naira via Tracking Initiative, Says Chair

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has said that it has recovered assets worth billions of naira to the government through Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative.

It added that through the initiative, it also returned equipment to communities for whom they were meant, and actual proper implementation of projects.

The Chairman of the agency, Musa Aliyu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at a policy Dialogue on Parliamentary Succession and Constituency Projects, organised by Order Paper Advocacy Initiative and BudgiT Foundation Dialogue.

The chairman, who was represented by Mr. Jimoh Suleiman, said the agency tracks constituency projects to curb corruption and increase recovery of public funds.

His words: “In view of the ICPC’s drive at ensuring good governance and value for money on government projects, the ICPC conceived the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative whose objectives are to  curb corruption, improve service delivery to the people, ensure the full execution of all projects, guarantee value for money in the implementation of projects and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in the implementation of the projects, and increase recovery of public funds into government coffers.

“The initiative has led to the recovery of assets worth billions of naira to the government, return of equipment to communities for whom they were meant, and actual proper implementation of projects. 

“Also, many contractors have been compelled to return to the sites to complete hitherto shoddily done or abandoned projects.”

Aliyu noted that the outcome of the tracking exercise presented different scenarios, such as absence of check mechanisms, project facilitators and civil servants gaming the system and turning the initiative into conduit pipe.

He added: “Almost every stage of the implementation process marred in cesspool of corruption and abuses so much that some projects were shoddily executed or not executed at all. Even some of the projects were executed by companies belonging to civil servants and project facilitators or companies in which they had substantial interests.

“Some of the negative outcomes of the tracking exercise include lack of synergy between the communities and the project facilitators in terms of needs analysis, Non- involvement of the communities in project conception, leading to waste of scarce resources, succeeding legislators not ready to take on projects initiated by their predecessors, and lack of awareness on the funding/ownership of such projects among others.”

The ICPC chairman was of the opinion that the fight against corruption cannot succeed without the full support, active participation and collaboration of key stakeholders and the society in general. 

He noted that to entrench transparency and accountability in the systems, everyone must join hands to monitor the implementation of government projects in their communities.

On his part, the senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, said parliamentary succession and constituency projects are essential elements that shape the functioning of legislature and the relationship between lawmakers and their constituents. 

He said parliamentary succession refers to the process of orderly transition and continuity within legislative bodies, adding that it was crucial for the stability and effectiveness of Nigeria’s democracy.

The former Governor of Ogun State said as lawmakers, they have a responsibility to ensure a seamless transfer of power from one parliament to the next, upholding the principles of representation and democratic governance. 

Daniel noted that on the other hand, constituency projects are an integral part of democratic system, aimed at bringing development and addressing the specific needs of constituents. 

He stressed that when properly implemented, they have the potential to uplift communities, improve infrastructure and enhance the lives of ordinary Nigerians. 

However, Daniel added that to maximise their impact, they must ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in their execution.

He noted that the impact of non-returning lawmakers on constituency projects allocated to them in Nigeria could vary depending on the specific circumstances and the actions taken by relevant stakeholders. 

Daniel explained that if a lawmaker, who had been allocated constituency projects does not get re-elected, there is a possibility that the projects they initiated or promised to undertake might be delayed or even abandoned. 

He said this can occur due to the loss of political will or lack of interest from the new lawmaker representing the constituency, adding that as a result, the intended beneficiaries might suffer from the absence of the anticipated development projects.