FG Reports Nearly 50% Improvement In Constituency Project Verification

The federal government has reported a nearly 50 per cent improvement in the verification of Constituency and Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs/CPs), describing the milestone as evidence of stronger oversight and ongoing reforms to enhance transparency, accountability and service delivery nationwide.

The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs disclosed this on Tuesday during its Second Quarter Stakeholders’ Interactive and Citizens Engagement Forum in Abuja, where government officials, lawmakers, development partners, civil society organisations and community representatives reviewed the implementation of constituency projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking at the forum, the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Hon. Zephaniah Bitrus Jisalo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, said the ministry had strengthened monitoring and verification mechanisms to ensure that Constituency and Zonal Intervention Projects deliver value to Nigerians.

He disclosed that project verification increased from 28.88 per cent in 2023 to 43.13 per cent in 2024, representing a nearly 50 per cent improvement, which he attributed to enhanced oversight and accountability in project implementation.

According to him, the ongoing 2025 verification exercise is already showing encouraging signs of surpassing the previous year’s performance.

Jisalo said the ministry remained committed to promoting transparency, accountability, citizen participation and efficient service delivery, stressing that constituency projects must directly support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He urged development partners and civil society organisations to continue providing technical assistance and independent feedback, while calling on host communities to take ownership of completed projects to guarantee their sustainability.

The minister also challenged the media to sustain objective reporting and highlight successful government interventions capable of improving public confidence in governance.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, said effective implementation of constituency projects requires sustained collaboration among government agencies, lawmakers, development partners, civil society organisations and local communities.

He noted that the forum also featured the presentation of the ministry’s latest status report on Constituency and Zonal Intervention Projects and the unveiling of its maiden compendium titled, “Actualizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda Through the Implementation of ZIPs/CPs.”

According to him, the publication is intended to institutionalise stakeholder engagement, improve public access to information and deepen citizens’ participation in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of constituency projects.

Maduka maintained that the long-term success of the projects depends on collective ownership by all stakeholders, adding that stronger collaboration would ensure government interventions produce lasting socio-economic benefits across the country.

The forum attracted key stakeholders, including Senator Anthony Ishaku Yaro of Gombe State, senior government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, community leaders and project beneficiaries.

Participants deliberated on measures to improve project implementation, monitoring, accountability and sustainability, while making recommendations aimed at enhancing the impact of constituency and zonal intervention projects nationwide.