The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced the tracking of 64 executive and constituency projects valued at approximately N21.6 billion in Sokoto State under Phase 8 of its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking (CEPT) programme.
The anti-graft agency said the exercise, which is ongoing in several states nationwide, is aimed at assessing project performance, value for money and compliance with contractual specifications.
Mr Aminu Bala, the ICPC team leader for the exercise in Sokoto, disclosed on Monday that the projects cut across key sectors, including health, education, water supply, agriculture, special intervention and electrification.
According to Bala, preliminary inspections have already uncovered irregularities in some projects located in Kalambaina and Gwuiwa in Wamakko Local Government Area, as well as Mabera and Mana in Sokoto South LGA.
He said some of the projects inspected did not meet contractual standards and required immediate corrective action.
“However, in all the projects identified, our team has instructed the contractors to immediately return to site and do the needful,” Bala stated.
The affected projects include a science laboratory at Senior Secondary School, Kalambaina, and water supply schemes in Gwuiwa, Mabera and Mana.
Bala explained that the 64 projects were awarded under 14 Federal Government agencies at an estimated cost of N21.6 billion and were expected to have been fully executed.
“Our group, consisting of members from the ICPC, the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Civil Society Organisations and the media, has fully commenced the exercise,” he said.
He added that the team would monitor contractor identification, payment details, level of completion and overall impact of the projects on beneficiary communities.
The ICPC team is expected to determine whether the projects delivered value commensurate with the funds released and whether they are serving the intended purposes across Sokoto State.
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