ICPC has begun the tracking of 2019/2020 constituency projects facilitated by federal lawmakers in different constituencies in Lagos State.
Mr Kabiru Elelu, Lagos State Zonal Commissioner of the commission said on Thursday that the objective was to ensure that the Appropriation Act was fully implemented as contemplated by law.
According to him, this includes the execution of projects from inception to completion and the making of recoveries on projects and contracts confirmed to have been inflated.
“The teams will investigate fraudulent procurement practices in the award of contracts for the constituency and executive projects.
Elelu said that the exercise would help to improve service delivery, ensure full execution of projects and guarantee value for money.
He said the three tracking teams included ICPC officials, NGOs, Quantity Surveyor, journalists and representatives of contractors.
Mr Mark Khobe, the Leader of Team C, said the team would visit Eti-Osa and Surulere constituencies to track different projects and training programmes facilitated by elected representatives between 2019 and 2020.
The projects and training programmes to be tracked were provision of healthcare centre in Lafiaji and the supply of motorcycles to Eti-Osa, both in the same constituency.
At Eti-Osa, the healthcare centre had been built and roofed, but had yet to be completed.
Prof. Oladapo Akinyemi, representing Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) which was awarded the contract, said the project was on-going.
Also, three people who benefited from the supply of 30 motorcycles confirmed receiving them and they brought them for the team to see.
At Surulere Constituency 1, the project of Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the residents complained on the substandard materials used in the construction of a mini football pitch with synthetic grass at Love Garden.
Mr Morufu Ayilara, a resident said the execution of the projects was below expectations, adding that the pitch was of poor quality.
He urged the contractor to return to site and do the needful.
Mr Saburi Atanda, the supervisor of the project was told to report to the ICPC next on Monday.
The project was the construction of mini football pitch with synthetic grass, seats under roof top, toilets, solar light poles and transparent fencing at “Love Garden’’.
At Randle Hospital in Surulere, the hospital was to be equipped with the installation of solar power generator.
Khole, the team leader noted that out of 45 kva to 50kva approved for the hospital, 40kva was supplied, therefore, the contractor would refund excess money.
Most of the participants in different youths training programmes confirmed that there were different training programmes and that they were provided with training kits and start-up money from N100,000 and above.
At the close of the exercise on Thursday, the team leader told contractors to report to the ICPC on Sept. 6 for continuation of the exercise.
