By Chinedum Treasure
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Anambra State, has commenced Phase 8b of its Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Exercise (CEPTG), targeting 19 projects worth over N1 billion across the state.
The exercise, which commenced on August 18, will cover projects across the three senatorial zones and is expected to last seven days. It is being conducted simultaneously in 21 states.
The CEPTG Team Lead, Nzebunachi Chukwuma, said the initiative, which began in 2019, was designed to promote transparency, accountability and good governance through effective monitoring of government projects.
He said the projects, randomly selected by a steering committee, include water schemes, empowerment programmes, roads and school construction.
According to him, the exercise is aimed at ensuring value for money, reducing diversion of public funds and other corrupt practices, and ensuring that intended beneficiaries derive maximum benefit from government projects.
Chukwuma said the monitoring involves the Federal Budget Office, Accountant-General of the Federation and ICPC, in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, which helps determine whether project expenditure corresponds with the work executed.
He noted that previous exercises in Anambra had resulted in the recovery of value from unexecuted projects and the return of some contractors and lawmakers to project sites to complete abandoned works.
He added that individuals found culpable of infractions had faced prosecution.
Tags: ICPC, Anambra, CEPTG, Projects
