The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is at it again. Recently, the commission disclosed that it intercepted and recovered the sum of N30 billion meant for constituency projects diverted by some members of the National Assembly (NASS).
The anti-graft agency said it made the recoveries from items listed in the budget which were diverted by the concerned lawmakers.
According to the agency, they were uncovered under the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI) Phase 7, 2024, which was carried out between December 2023 and December 2024.
It explained that the initiative, which was launched in 2015, tracks the implementation and performance of constituency projects to promote accountability. ICPC listed the focus areas as education, empowerment and capacity building, health, water resources, agriculture, road infrastructure, and power. During the period under review, the ICPC tracked a total of 1,500 projects in 22 states.
The commission said of the total project value of N610 billion, it saved N30 billion, recovered N360 million in cash and assets worth N400 million.
As a newspaper, we are not carried away by these revelations because they are a yearly ritual by the commission.
Rather, we are pained that beyond these mere disclosures, nothing is heard of what becomes the fate of the perpetrators of these heinous acts against the people they represent who are the intended beneficiaries of the projects.
Since Nigeria returned to full-blown democracy on May 29, 1999, billions of naira have been allocated to constituency projects, which are meant to bring the dividends of democratic governance to the constituencies of the national lawmakers to enhance grassroots development.
It is, however, noteworthy that some legislators have implemented their projects while others have failed woefully. In fact, records have shown that between 2009 and 2019, over N1 trillion was allocated to constituency projects in Nigeria for 15,859 projects in 7,589 communities. Of these figures, 7,000 of the projects in 26 states were completed while the rest worth billions of naira were either abandoned or uncompleted.
In 2021, the ICPC reported that some senators diverted over N120 billion allocated to constituency projects in their areas. Sadly enough, not a single person was arrested or prosecuted.
In the considered opinion of this newspaper, the recent revelation by the ICPC that N30 billion constituency projects were diverted by some lawmakers and their collaborators is a stark reminder of the entrenched corruption in the polity.
This scandal is not only a betrayal of public trust but also a slap in the face of the anti-corruption campaign. Constituency projects were introduced to enable lawmakers execute projects that would benefit their constituents.
However, since its inception, the programme has been marred by controversies, with allegations of corruption, embezzlement, and misappropriation of public funds.
The ICPC’s report of the diversion of N30 billion constituency projects is a disturbing indication of the lack of accountability and transparency in the system. What’s even more appalling is the commission’s failure to name the culprits behind these disturbing acts. By merely disclosing the amount without revealing the identities of those involved, the ICPC is doing a disservice to the country and demonstrating its non-commitment to the anti-corruption war.
Therefore, the ICPC should bury its head in shame for not being bold enough to name and prosecute the culprits. No explanation is accepted for the secrecy with which the matter is handled. The commission’s boast of intercepting the amount and returning it to the treasury is hollow, as there is no guarantee that the funds won’t be looted again by corrupt officials.
To restore public trust and demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption, the ICPC must name and shame the lawmakers involved in the diversion of constituency projects.
It must ensure that those involved are prosecuted and punished accordingly. The commission must work with the relevant authorities to recover the diverted funds and ensure that they are used for the intended purposes.
It’s worth noting that the lawmakers involved and their collaborators in the executive arm have no immunity from prosecution for misconduct while in office. The ICPC must therefore be willing to take on these individuals and hold them accountable for their actions.
If the law limits the power of the commission to bring these public officers to justice, the law establishing the agency deserves immediate amendment.
In conclusion, the diversion of N30 billion constituency projects is a scandal that must not be swept under the carpet.
The ICPC must take bold action to address this issue and demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption.
Anything less will be a betrayal of public trust and a setback for the anti-corruption crusade of the federal government.
Accountability cannot remain a distant ideal. It must become the standard by which public service is measured. Without it, the promises of development and governance will remain unfulfilled, leaving ordinary Nigerians to bear the cost of their leaders’ greed.
