N1.8bn Projects: ICPC Commences Tracking of 50 Projects in Delta State

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced tracking of 50 projects costing N1.8billion that were awarded between 2017 and 2018 in Delta State.

The projects cut across the Health, Education, Water resources, Agriculture and Power sectors.

ICPC Commissioner for Edo and Delta States, Yusuf Olatunji Esq. disclosed this in a release. He said the exercise is the second phase of constituency projects tracking.

According to him, Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs) popularly called Constituency projects evolved as a result of promises made by legislators during electioneering to bring development closer to their people.

“To achieve this, certain projects are budgeted and appropriated for the constituency of each legislator. The funds for these projects are domiciled in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for implementation.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) constituted the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Group (CEPTG) to ensure project delivery to the citizens.

“The findings of the first phase of the tracking contained in our report confirmed the perception of average Nigerians that ZIPs have become a conduit for corruption. In addition, Executive projects have also been included in the projects to be tracked under the second phase of this exercise.

“In the first phase, the value of recoveries so far made is about N738, 621,225.01 in cash and assets while the cumulative savings for government is N1, 834,771,184.84.

“Following this success recorded in the exercise conducted in 12 states of the federation, ICPC is set to begin the second phase. This second phase will cover 16 states including Delta State not covered previously in the pilot phase.

“This will be done in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Media, Official of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and other stakeholders.

“The objectives of the exercise are: (a) To investigate fraudulent procurement in award of contracts for constituency and executive projects; (b) To make recoveries on projects or contracts confirmed to have been inflated, not properly done or abandoned; (c) To ensure projects are executed to specification; (d) To apply appropriate sanctions for contravention of relevant legislations.” He said.