By Emma Okereh
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and BudgIT Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further enshrine integrity in the execution of publicly funded projects.
The MoU was signed at the Commission’s Headquarters Friday when the BudgIT delegation, led by its Country Representative, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo paid a courtesy call to the ICPC.
In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN expressed his satisfaction with the terms of the agreement as it is a testament to a shared vision between the Commission and BudgiT Nigeria, as the two organisations continue to ensure that the country’s scarce resources are deployed appropriately.
The ICPC Boss 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 N74 billion.
He added that ICPC would continue to hold defaulters accountable just as it had arraigned others in the past.
“The MoU will stabilize 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.”
Dr. Adamu Aliyu concluded that the ICPC and other relevant authorities would deal with any issues that Nigerians report regarding their constituency’s projects.
Earlier in a brief address, The Country Representative of BudgiT, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo stated that the MoU demonstrated the two bodies’ mutual commitment, as certain clauses within the agreement were already being implemented even before it is officially signed.
Mr Okeowo acknowledged the Commission’s projects tracking activities, ongoing simultaneously across the country and shared that the MoU will add credence to the collaboration of both 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 public funded projects execution.
