ICPC Yet To Evaluate Claims Of N900bn Constituency Funds Allegedly Diverted By Federal Lawmakers

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related offences Commission (ICPC), says it was yet to evaluate accomplishment of the commission in recovery and retrieving constituency project funds allegedly diverted by some federal lawmakers.

ICPC stated this in reactions to a report, claiming that the commission had uncovered and retrieved over N900 billion diverted constituency project funds, siphoned by federal lawmakers in twelve states.

The ICPC in a press release, said although the first phase of the ongoing constituency projects tracking initiates had yielded positive outcomes, such accomplishments are yet to be evaluated.

“While the Commission has embarked on the first phase of its Constituency Projects Tracking initiative with remarkable successes in terms of the return of contractors to hitherto abandoned sites; completion of projects; as well as the recovery and putting to use of equipment that had been made away with or left to idle away, the evaluation of these successes is still ongoing,” the ICPC said.

The Nation reports on 8 August, that the head of the ICPC, Kano office, Zayyanu Danmusa, said the commission had ‘uncovered and retrieved over N900billion diverted constituency project funds siphoned by federal lawmakers in 12 states’.

According to the report, Danmusa claimed that ‘lawmakers connived with contractors and supervisory federal agencies to siphon funds budgeted for constituency projects meant to enhance the development of their respective communities’.

However, the commission said it was working to ensure that factual reports are delivered on its findings at the end of the first phase of the exercise.

“The general public is therefore invited to note that ICPC is working fervently and assiduously to present an unambiguous and factual report on its findings devoid of sensationalism to all its stakeholders and Nigerians in general, as soon as the first phase of the exercise is concluded,” the ICPC said.

The tracking of constituency projects in 12 states of the federation by the ICPC is an initiative aimed at ensuring, elected representatives execute and delivers quality constituency projects across Nigeria in order to obtain value for money released.

The initiatives had thus far yielded results, as witnessed in the recovery of six tractors from a former senator, Isa Hamman Misau.

The tractors were meant for farmers in six local government areas in the Central Senatorial District of Bauchi State.