ICPC Begins Tracking of N21.6bn Projects in Sokoto

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC has commenced the tracking of 64 executive and constituency projects valued at about N21.6 billion in Sokoto State as part of efforts to ensure accountability and value for public funds.

The exercise is being carried out under Phase 8 of the commission’s Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Programme, which is ongoing in several states across the country.

Speaking on Monday, the team leader, Mr. Aminu Bala, said the monitoring team would inspect projects across key sectors including health, education, water supply, agriculture, special interventions and rural electrification.

Bala disclosed that preliminary inspections had 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.

According to him, some of the projects failed to meet contractual specifications and would require corrective action.

“However, in all the projects identified, our team has instructed the contractors to immediately return to site and do the needful,” he said.

The affected projects include a science laboratory at the Senior Secondary School in Kalambaina and water supply schemes in Gwuiwa, Mabera and Mana.

Bala further explained that the 64 projects under review were awarded by 14 federal government agencies and were expected to have been fully executed.

He noted that the total contract value stands at approximately N21.6 billion.

“Our group, consisting of members from the ICPC, the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, civil society organisations and the media, has fully commenced the exercise,” he said. “We are to monitor and assess project performance, value of work done, contractor identification, payment details and overall project status.”

He added that beyond compliance checks, the team would also evaluate the impact of the projects on the beneficiary communities, stressing that the tracking initiative is designed to promote transparency, deter mismanagement and ensure that public projects deliver tangible benefits to citizens.