ICPC, NOA task A/Ibom indigenes on monitoring constituency projects
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and National Orientation Agency (NOA) have cautioned Akwa Ibom state citizens to take active part in tracking constituency projects to avert embezzlement of funds.
Speaking in Uyo on Monday during a town hall meeting with the theme: “Promoting accountable governance through tracking of constituency and public projects implementation” organised by the Social Development Integrated Centre,
the ICPC Commissioner in the state, Mr. Sola Sodipo, explained that corruption has been responsible for the non-implementation and abandonment of public projects across the country.
Sodipo, who was represented by the Legal Officer for ICPC, Mr. Ukpo Kalu said “corruption has gone beyond endurance.
Corruption has increased poverty in our country. People are dying every day due to corruption.
“Constituency projects are meant for the benefits of the people in their various constituencies, but unfortunately, the funds released for the constituency projects are diverted due to corruption. Many projects have been abandoned because of corruption.”
The state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Enoh Uyoh urged Akwa Ibom state citizens to be part of the fight against corrupt practices by making sure that corrupt public officials were exposed.
“When we elect certain persons to pilot the affairs of the state and country, it gives the assurance that our constituencies will be developed but the reverse is the case.
“Some corrupt politicians have embezzled funds meant for the development of their constituencies. And we know that when funds are diverted, citizens are the ones that suffer,” Uyoh asserted.
He observed that the time has come for the citizens to take action in fighting corruption so as to eradicate the cankerworm, saying that corruption is the reason for under-development in the country.
“If we do not fight corruption, it would affect generations to come,” he warned.
Executive Director, Social Development Integrated Centre, Ms. Vivian Bellonwu-Okafor said the project is part of ongoing efforts to engender accountability and good governance through mobilization of active citizens’ engagement around corruption and weak governance issues toward achieving sustainable development of both material and human capital.
She expressed concern over mismanagement of funds voted for constituency projects and cited the discovery of medical equipment worth hundreds of millions of naira, meant for a cottage hospital in Essien Udim Local Government Area in private homes in Akwa Ibom state by the ICPC zonal office.
“This is just one out of the numerous cases of brazen corruption reinforcing concerns over constituency projects across the country.
“These concerns are further goaded by the near secrecy in the implementation of the projects starting from the release of funds to procurement opacity and unto to final implementation,” she added.
