The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced the commencement of its 6th phase of tracking fraudulent constituency projects across the nation. The commission has completed preparations to deploy its officers across all six geopolitical zones of the country, starting from Monday, October 16, to scrutinize 1,932 projects with a total value of ₦500 billion.
Azuka Ogugua, the spokesperson for the commission, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, emphasizing that the primary aim of this initiative is to enhance service delivery to communities in every corner of the country.
The focal states for this exercise include Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Plateau, Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe, Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, and the Federal Capital Territory.
In addition to these constituency projects, ICPC will be closely monitoring special intervention agencies and captive funds projects, such as the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). Other agencies under scrutiny include the Niger Delta Development Commission, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ecological Fund Office, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), among others.
The overarching goals of this exercise include investigating fraudulent procurement practices in public contract awards, ensuring the full execution of publicly funded projects, adhering to project specifications, compliance with regulatory requirements, and ensuring that government expenditures on projects provide value for money.
The ICPC spokesperson also highlighted that this initiative would be carried out in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), the media, and civil society organizations.
