TheCable

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it tracked 1,721 government-funded projects in five months.

Musa Aliyu, the commission’s chairperson, disclosed this to journalists on Monday during a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos.

The press conference held on the sidelines of the two-day strategic plan workshop organised by the commission.

Speaking during the briefing, the ICPC boss said the tracking exercise was part of the activities of phase 6 of the constituency and executive projects tracking group (CEPTG) initiative.

Aliyu said the phase 6 tracking exercise started from November 2023 to the first quarter of 2024.

“The phase 6 exercise which commenced in November 2023 through 1st quarter of 2024 and covers the health, agriculture, education, water resources, and power sectors in 26 states and the FCT is still ongoing,” Aliyu said.

“A total of 1,721 government-funded projects were tracked 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.

“Hoarding 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.”

Aliyu said relevant ministries, departments, and agencies have been mandated to invite the commission to monitor distribution of empowerment items.

The ICPC said the agency made some successes from the phase six tracking exercise, including the return to site of contractors in 176 projects.

“Cash recoveries made so far is N163 million and recoveries made in assets N513.3 million,” he said.

He added that the agency has tracked N219,843,922,945.48 worth of projects across 176 MDAs through the CEPTG initiative since 2019.

He said the CEPTG is a powerful tool that ensures government funds are directed towards impactful projects that benefit the most vulnerable Nigerians.