ICPC and BudgIT Seal Pact to Promote Transparency in Public Spending
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and BudgIT Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting integrity in the execution of publicly funded projects.
The MoU was signed at the ICPC Headquarters on Friday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from BudgIT, led by its Country Representative, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo.
In his remarks, ICPC Chairman Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting it as a testament to the shared vision of both organizations to ensure the proper allocation of the country’s scarce resources.
Dr Aliyu disclosed that since 2019, the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Group (CEPTG) has tracked over 5,000 projects and successfully directed contractors to return to incomplete projects worth N74 billion.
He emphasized that the ICPC would continue to hold those who fail to deliver accountable, as it has done in previous cases.
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“The MoU will strengthen our working relationship with BudgIT, enabling us to better serve Nigerians,” he stated. “I urge Nigerians to engage with the work of CEPTG, obtain a copy of the Nigerian budget, and monitor the projects in their constituencies to hold the government accountable.”
Dr Adamu Aliyu concluded by assuring that the ICPC and other relevant authorities would address any issues reported by Nigerians regarding their constituency projects.
Earlier, Mr. Gabriel Okeowo, the Country Representative of BudgIT, noted that the MoU reflects the mutual commitment of both organizations, mentioning that certain clauses in the agreement were already being implemented even before the official signing.
Okeowo acknowledged the ICPC’s project tracking efforts ongoing across the country and expressed that the MoU would further enhance the collaboration between the two parties.
The partnership will be coordinated through BudgIT’s investigative arm, TRACKA, which will facilitate the sharing of relevant information, data, and intelligence regarding fraud in the execution of public-funded projects.
