ICPC Partners with Ugandan Government, Enhance Transparency in Constituency Projects
By Chizoba Njaka
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated discussions with the Ugandan government to explore potential collaboration on tracking constituency and executive projects, specifically through the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking (CEPT) initiative.
The development unfolded on Tuesday, as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) welcomed members of Uganda's Parliamentary Budget Committee at Abuja.
ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by Commission Secretary Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, DSSR, underscored the crucial role of project tracking in promoting transparency, accountability, and efficient delivery of democratic benefits.
The ICPC Chairman emphasized the Commission's pioneering role in monitoring constituency and executive projects across Nigeria, noting that the initiative has yielded substantial recoveries and accomplishments in the anti-corruption crusade since its launch.
“Project tracking requires expertise, especially in Africa, where community-based projects are often hijacked by individuals, “It is a critical area of concern, and we welcome collaboration to share insights and best practices,” he stressed.
The ICPC Chairman noted that project tracking necessitates expertise, especially in Africa, where community-based projects are commonly hijacked by individuals, and emphasized that this critical concern warrants collaboration to facilitate the sharing of insights and best practices.
Honourable Remigio Achia, Vice Chairman of Uganda's Parliamentary Budget Committee, explained that the purpose of their visit was to further their studies at the Nigerian Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
Mr. Achia, while praising the ICPC's impressive track record in project tracking, expressed a strong desire to learn strategies for ensuring that Ugandan citizens reap the benefits of constituency projects, ultimately enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.
"Uganda is reinstating constituency project funds in its budget after a previous removal, and it's essential we learn from ICPC's approach to prevent mismanagement of these funds," he stated.
The visit culminated in a presentation by Mr. Jimoh Oladapo Sulahiman, ICPC's Deputy Director and Head of Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative (CEPTi), titled 'CEPTi as a Vehicle for Good Governance', highlighting the initiative's crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability in government projects.
He elaborated on Nigeria's constituency project framework, outlining how parliamentarians designate national budget funds to support development initiatives that benefit their constituents, essentially enabling them to influence project implementation in their respective districts.
Additionally, Mr. Jim. Sulahiman outlined the tracking process, highlighting its significance in enhancing project implementation rates across Nigeria, thereby ensuring that allocated funds are utilized effectively and efficiently.