From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and BudgIT Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further promote integrity in the execution of publicly funded projects.
According to a statement from the ICPC, the MoU was signed at the Commission’s headquarters on Friday when the BudgIT delegation, led by its Country Representative, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo, paid a courtesy call to the Commission.
In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, expressed his satisfaction with the terms of the agreement, describing it as a testament to the shared vision between the Commission and BudgIT Nigeria to ensure that the country’s scarce resources are deployed appropriately.
The ICPC Chairman disclosed that the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Group (CEPTG) had tracked over 5,000 projects since 2019 and successfully directed contractors to return to uncompleted projects valued at ₦74 billion. He added that the ICPC would continue to hold defaulters accountable, as it had done in the past by arraigning others.
“The MoU will stabilise our core working relationship with BudgIT to ensure that we help Nigerians. I call on Nigerians to follow the work of CEPTG and also get a copy of the Nigerian budget, track and monitor their constituency’s projects in order to hold the government accountable.”
Aliyu concluded by assuring Nigerians that the ICPC and other relevant authorities would address any issues they report regarding constituency projects.
Earlier, in a brief address, the Country Representative of BudgIT, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo, stated that the MoU demonstrated the mutual commitment of the two bodies, as certain clauses within the agreement had already been implemented even before it was officially signed.
Okeowo acknowledged the Commission’s project tracking activities, which are ongoing simultaneously across the country, and noted that the MoU would strengthen the collaboration between the two parties.
“The collaboration is coordinated through BudgIT’s investigative arm, TRACKA, which will be useful in sharing relevant information, data, and intelligence concerning fraud in the execution of publicly funded projects,” he said.