ICPC Begins Tracking Phase 7 of N13.9 Billion Federal Government Projects in Niger State
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has started monitoring Phase 7 of the Constituency and Executive Projects across Niger State.
Mallam Sai’du Yahaya, a representative from ICPC, announced this initiative during a tracking exercise in Minna on Thursday.
He stated that approximately 80 projects would be monitored across various sectors, including education, health, water resources, power, empowerment, and agriculture, among others.
Yahaya mentioned that the projects, valued at N13.9 billion, began in 2022 and 2023 across these sectors. He explained that the objective of the tracking exercise is to ensure that federal government projects are executed according to specifications and contractual agreements.
This initiative aims to detect potential fraud and identify instances where contractors or supervisors may conspire to defraud the federal government.
“The exercise will also ensure the quality execution of projects, verifying whether they meet contract specifications,” he said.
He further noted that the commission is collaborating with stakeholders, such as the Nigeria Institute of Quality Surveyors, to assess the projects and recover any losses from contractors for projects found to be substandard.
The Nigeria Institute of Quality Surveyors will provide expert valuation and assessment services to ensure that project specifications are met and that contractors deliver quality work.
Yahaya added that the tracking exercise would be conducted across the three Senatorial zones in Niger State. Phase 7 involves 1,500 projects with a total value of N610 billion, and it commenced on November 18 in 22 states across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
The states involved include Kwara, Niger, Kogi, FCT, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Abia, and Enugu.
The Phase 7 tracking exercise will cover government interventions related to the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the National Primary Health Care Development Authority (NPHCDA), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), and Ecological Funds.
