Federal Gov’t Seeks Ways To Enhance Transparency In Constituency Projects

The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs is collaborating with the office of the accountant general of the federation (OAGF) to enhance transparency and accountability in the implementation of Zonal Intervention and Constituency Projects (ZIP/CP).

The permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs (FMSDIGA), Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, disclosed this yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Shamsudeen Babatunde, at the Treasury House, Abuja.

Ihemelandu, who also said the visit would foster stronger inter-agency collaboration between his ministry and the OAGF, then presented a newly issued circular outlining revised guidelines on the implementation of ZIP/CP from the Office of the Secretary to the government of the federation to the Accountant General.

According to the permanent secretary, the revised guidelines state that all ZIP/CP must be duly certified and approved by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs before any payments are made to contractors. This, he said, is to ensure that projects are executed to standard and to guarantee value for money in government expenditure.

He emphasised that the ministry has put in place robust mechanisms to verify and validate all projects under its purview before certification is granted, stressing that the directive aligns with the principles of accountability, transparency, and good governance.

While calling on the OAGF to support the ministry’s efforts by ensuring full compliance with the revised guidelines and incorporating them into payment protocols, the permanent secretary expressed the ministry’s readiness to work closely with them to enhance project delivery and ensure that funds released for ZIP/CP are judiciously utilised for the benefit of the citizens.

In his response, the accountant general of the federation, Mr Shamsudeen Babatunde, commended the permanent secretary for the timely initiative and assured him of his office’s full cooperation. He stated that the circular presented will be strictly adhered to and will serve as a prerequisite document for processing all payments relating to ZIP/CP.

Babatunde further pledged to collaborate with the ministry by ensuring that the contents of the circular are communicated to all relevant stakeholders. He further requested that the ministry should provide a resource person to enlighten stakeholders on the importance of project certification and approval by FMSDIGA before payment.