Over N2billion Naira has been recovered from contractors by ICPC established Constituency Project Tracking Group Initiative since its establishment in 2019.
Mr. Henry Omokaiye, a development expert made the disclosure at a two day training workshop on “tracking constituency projects” Get Involved, Dialogue and Improving Project – GDRIP organized by Stallion Times Media Services (STMS), with Support from McArthur Foundation held at the New Age Hall in Lokoja, lamented that the people have lived in ignorance and have shown I don’t care attitude to engaging in constituency monitoring.
The development expert while making a presentation on ” Tracking Constituency Projects”, stressed the need for stakeholders, particularly the Civil Society and the Media, lamented that so much has been spent on constituency projects, yet with little impact felt by the people.
The development expert observed that people have not benefitted from constituency projects compared to the expected impact, lamented that legislators now prefer to nominate empowerment projects as a way of running away from scrutiny.
The sites for constituency projects, Mr. Henry explained are usually not given by legislators before advertisement, lamented the duplication of constituency project monies using same description, amount and location as worrisome trend observed in constituency project implementation.
While pointing out that legislators have diviced another means of using empowerment programs to siphon constituency projects, cautioned legislators against shortchanging the people they intend to represent.
While urging the media and civil society to work as a team when tracking constituency projects, advised on the need to develop an activity plan, identify critical stakeholders, get budget document, visit project sites, prepare tracking report, assist the community to write a letter to the legislator and ensure that they engage the legislators on the constituency projects with your tracking report.