ICPC recovers constituency project equipment in private home

Isaac Job, Uyo

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday said it recovered a multi-million naira constituency project equipment stockpiled in a private home in Akwa Ibom state.

It was gathered that the equipment were meant for a cottage hospital in Ukana. Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at a media briefing after he led journalists to evacuate and deliver the equipment, the state Commissioner of ICPC, Shola Shodipo, said the commission in the process of investigation discovered that the equipment meant for the cottage hospital since March 2018, were not actually delivered to the end users.

He said “ICPC is interested in constituency projects and has set up tracking groups in 12 states of the federation.

In the course of our assignment, we discovered that the equipment meant for the supply of three dialysis machines and other equipment for Ukana Cottage Hospital were not delivered.

We found only one in a private place which was not delivered or put in place in the hospital.

“They were found in that building that we went to. These machines and other equipment were meant to be delivered since 2018.We have taken the equipment to the appropriate location.

The equipment was supposed to help the community in the provision of health care delivery.”

Fielding questions from journalists on who was involved in the alleged scam, Shodipo said “we are still in the process of investigation.

I will not be able to tell for now, but I can tell you that the equipment was meant for the cottage hospital. A particular company was awarded the contract.”

Consultant to the hospital, Dr. Mary Udoh, who received the equipment expressed appreciation to the ICPC for ensuring that the equipment were delivered to the hospital.

She said the equipment would go a long way to facilitate healthcare delivery service to the communities.

“On behalf of the hospital management, I want to say we are very happy receiving the equipment today and I want to thank the ICPC for this ensuring that the equipment were delivered to the right place.

The equipment will help us in our service delivery to the people,” she added.