ICPC to begin second phase of constituency projects tracking nationwide

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that it will commence the second phase of Constituency Projects Tracking Group Initiatives (CPTG).

Chairman of the Commission, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, who was represented by Commissioner for Cross River/Akwa Ibom states, Shola Shodipo, stated this at a Town Hall Meeting titled, “My Constituency, My Project” in partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), ActionAid and Up Right for Nigeria.

He said the campaign began in Abuja in November last year and that the community-level crusade was happening in all the 36 states of the federation this week.

“The initiative, which started with the first phase in 2019 commenced with the tracking of 12 states to determine whether constituency projects were executed and done satisfactory.

“This year, the commission will continue tracking projects as the second phase is about to commence. Importantly, the scope of the exercise has now been widened to include projects specifically developed and implemented by the executive arm of government,” he said.

While tasking communities to hold their representatives accountable for constituency projects, he said legislative representatives, who select projects do so, because they understood their needs.

“The policy of constituency and other projects for communities is valid evidence that government means well for the people and it is through these projects that government touches their lives.

“For this reason, beneficiaries need to show interest in the selection, execution and use of these projects. In order words, you need to take ownership of the projects for sustainability in the long term.

“We wish to emphasise that government funds constituency and other projects with public money. This means the projects are not gifts or donations to your community by political representatives. They belong to the people as fruits of national resources and government responsibility,” he stressed.

Speaking, Director-General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, noted that ICPC has been committed in interrogating the process of location and implementation of constituency projects.

Abari, who was represented by the State Director of NOA, Florence Osang, said in this regard, the commission has found out that the vital component process was to get citizens to take ownership of their constituency projects, as this would give genuine interest to preserve and protect them.