Abandoned projects: ₦50bn recovered from contractors in four years

By John Ogunsemore

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, has said that the commission recovered N50.37 billion between 2019 and 2023 from contractors who abandoned project sites.

He added that many of these contractors were also compelled to return and complete their projects.

Aliyu spoke at the Close-out and Journalism Award Ceremony of the International Centre for Investigative Journalism (ICIR) Open Contract Reporting Project (OCRP) in Abuja.

The ICPC boss said procurement fraud is a major threat to effective governance and efficient use of public funds.

Underscoring the pivotal role of procurement in public service delivery, he said procurement fraud comprises irregular contract awards, violations of the Public Procurement Act, and other infractions.

He urged stakeholders from all sectors to collaborate in fostering accountability and combating procurement fraud in Nigeria.

Aliyu maintained that transparent and honest procurement processes are vital for enabling governments to deliver infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential services to citizens.

He stressed the urgent need to address these issues to create a system of accountability and ensure the optimal utilisation of resources in the country.

Aliyu said that the ICPC has implemented several initiatives to tackle these challenges, including the System Study and Review, the Constituency and Executive Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), and collaborations with civil society organisations and the media.

According to him, these measures have yielded significant results, including the recovery of ₦50.37 billion between 2019 and 2023 from contractors who abandoned project sites.

He said many of these contractors were also compelled to return and complete their projects.

Aliyu proposed further actions to curb procurement fraud, including fostering integrity among public service leaders, strengthening oversight mechanisms, strictly enforcing procurement laws, and imposing penalties for violations.