By Adedeji ADEMUYIWA
Nigeria, Lagos – The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), on Monday, 29th April, 2024 disclosed that the Commission, through its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Group (CEPTG) has been able to track a total of ₦219.844 billion from 176 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) since 2019.
The Commission Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, who this revelation during his media briefing at Marriot Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos stated that the tracking exercise focuses on critical sectors like education, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure, spanning 26 states and the FCT across all 6 Geo-political Zones.
“This initiative ensures government funds are directed towards impactful projects that benefit the most vulnerable Nigerians”, he said.
According to the anti-corruption agency boss, the Phase 6 exercise which commenced in November, 2023 through 1st quarter of 2024 covers the Health, Agriculture, Education, Water Resources, and Power sectors in 26 states and the FCT is still ongoing, adding that the final report of the exercise will be published and be made public.
Highlight of findings from Phase 6 Tracking Exercise as stated by Mr Aliyu made up of 1,721 government-funded projects within the Phase 6 tracking cycle.
“The Commission is conducting further investigations on some infractions discovered, which are: Under performed projects; Shoddily executed projects; Abandoned projects; Certification of projects as completed when such projects have not been completed.
“Hording of projects such as empowerment projects meant to be distributed to intended beneficiaries to empower them or serve to alleviate their poverty were hoarded, while some other items were distributed through proxies.
“It was observed that some agencies were in the habit of handing over empowerment items to stakeholders for onward distribution to the intended beneficiaries.
“This practice encouraged hoarding and politicization of the empowerment sharing processes.
“To stem the tide of empowerment items being converted to personal use or for personal aggrandisement, and to engender value for money on government funds as well as for impactful socio-economic development of the citizenry, relevant MDAs have been mandated to invite ICPC to monitor the distribution of empowerment items on their budget.
“Other findings are:
1. Projects in which contractors returned to sites 176
2. Appropriations for all tracked projects
₦220 billion
3. Contracts value of all projects tracked
₦285 billion
4. Value of projects on which contractors returned to sites ₦30 billion
5. Cash Recoveries Made (so far)
₦163 million
6. Recoveries Made In Assets(so far)
₦513.3 million
7. Recoveries Made (so far)- Cash And Assets in 5 and 6 above ₦676 million
8. Cumulative savings to government ₦30 billion
9. Contractors/companies involved
1,355”, the ICPC Chairman stated.
In the Maritime Sector, ICPC, in collaborating with other agencies, as stated by the Chairman, conducted a corruption risk assessment of key Nigerian seaports.
He said, “This assessment identified vulnerabilities and led to the development of measures to improve transparency and accountability.
“These measures included: Standardized Operating Procedures (SOPs): Consistent procedures for all government agencies operating at the ports; Port Service Support Portal (PSSP): A web-based platform for addressing business complaints and grievances; Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM): A step-by-step guide to port operations promoting compliance and transparency.
“An enforcement team (Ports Standing Task Team – PSTT) was established to ensure adherence to these measures. Their efforts resulted in: 50 arrests in 2023 related to 19 investigations.
“Legal proceedings initiated, including asset forfeiture; Improved port efficiency and streamlined operations, especially at Apapa and Tin-Can ports; Dismantling of corruption networks causing traffic congestion.
“The Commission has over the years developed its capacity, experience, ideas and strategies to combat corrupt practices in public sector. We will continue on this trajectory under my leadership. However, the Commission requires support of all Nigerians which include the media to effectively deliver on its mandates.
“Finally, we want to assure Nigerians that ICPC in discharge of its enforcement mandate is committed to adherence to the rule of law and international best practices in the investigation and prosecution of persons suspected to have committed corrupt practices”, he added.
