ICPC targets 1,500 projects worth £610bn for compliance monitoring in Nigeria

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) said it had begun monitoring 1,500 projects worth £610bn to ensure due diligence and contract compliance for government projects across the country.

This was announced in a statement published at the ICPC. website On Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

The ICPC described the initiative as “Phase 7”:Constituency and Executive Project Follow-up Study.”

Tracking Goals

The anti-corruption agency explained that its monitoring of constituency and administrative projects focuses on how funds allocated to critical sectors such as education, health, agriculture, water resources and energy, among others, are used.

The commission stated that the initiative started in 2019.

“Phase 7, covering 1,500 projects with a total value of ₦610 billion, started on Monday, November 18, 2024, in 22 states across six geopolitical zones.

“The states are Kwara, Niger, Kogi, FCT, Kebbi, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Abia and Enugu. “ description added.

• ICPC also disclosed that Phase 7 of the monitoring exercise will involve government agencies such as North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Universal Basic Education Commission (NALDA). UBEC), Rural Electrification Agency (REA), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and Ecological Fund Office.
• The Commission emphasized that all contracts approved by the government must be strictly implemented for the benefit of the voters.

“The aim of the exercise is to deepen adherence to due process in the execution of government projects, increase value for money and consolidate a culture of compliance with the scope and specifications contained in the contract documents.” description added.

• The ICPC recalled that it was monitoring a total of 1,900 projects worth ₦500 billion during Phase 6 of the exercise, covering 24 states in the country’s six geopolitical zones.

At that time, these projects were awarded to a total of 1,355 contractors across 176 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

What You Need to Know

The surveillance exercise underscores the investigative powers of federal anti-corruption agencies.

• The powers of the ICPC have been further strengthened by a recent important decision. Supreme Court, Resolution confirming that the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were legally established by Acts of the National Assembly and have the authority to investigate and prosecute financial crimes across the states.
• Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-EkunIt was also revealed that a total of 2,398 financial crime convictions were recorded in the judiciary by the EFCC and ICPC between January 2, 2024 and August 2, 2024.

Speaking at the opening of the 2024/2025 legal year of the Supreme Court on Monday, September 30, 2024, Kekere-Ekun stated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was in office between January 2, 2024 and August 2, 2024. 2,387 convictions were obtained with relevant support, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) opened 54 cases and obtained 11 convictions.

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