ICPC Chief: N220 Billion Assets Traced Across Key Sectors in 2023
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has tracked a total of N219,843,922,946. 48 across 176 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in 2023.
The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, who disclosed this to journalists at a press briefing held in Lagos recently said that the exercise was carried out through Phase 6 of the Commission’s Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative.
The projects tracking initiative, which focused on critical sectors like education, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure across all the six geo-political zones of Nigeria was to ensure that government funds were directed towards impactful projects that benefit the vulnerable citizens.
According to Dr. Aliyu, ‘’a total of 1,721 government-funded projects were tracked within the phase 6 tracking cycle. The Commission is conducting further investigations on some discovered infractions, including underperformed projects, shoddily executed projects, abandoned projects, and certification of projects as completed when such projects have not been completed’’.
Hoarded empowerment projects meant to be distributed to intended beneficiaries to empower them or alleviate their poverty … and some other items distributed through proxies’’ are also being investigated, according to the ICPC boss.
Dr, Aliyu said that the Commission, ‘‘observed that some agencies were in the habit of handing over empowerment items to stakeholders for onward distribution to the intended beneficiaries. This practice encouraged hoarding and politicization of the empowerment sharing process’’.
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To stem the tide of empowerment items being converted to personal use or for personal aggrandizement, and to engender value for money on government funds… the ICPC boss said ‘’…relevant MDAs have been mandated to invite ICPC to monitor the distribution of empowerment items on their budget’’
On the Commission’s intervention in the Nigerian seaports, he revealed that, ‘’The ICPC, in collaboration with other agencies conducted a Corruption Risk Assessment of key Nigerian seaport. The assessment identified vulnerabilities and led to the development of Standadised Operating procedures (SOPs), Port Service Support Portal (PSSP), and Nigeria Port Process Manual (NPPM) to improve transparency and accountability’’.
To get port users to adhere to these measures, the ICPC Chairman said that ‘’an enforcement team (Port Standing Task Team – PSTT) was established, leading to 50 arrests in 2023, improved port efficiency and streamlined operations at Apapaand Tin-Can ports, dismantling of corruption networks causing traffic congestion
Dr. Aliyu stressed the crucial significance of transparency and collaboration among ICPC, the media, and the Nigerian populace while also emphasizing the Commission’s commitment to catalyzing change and fostering an environment of openness, ethics, and accountability.
Earlier, while addressing participants at a two-day strategic plan workshop organised by the Commission, he urged management staff to uphold an anti-corruption ethos, emphasizing integrity, responsibility, and professionalism in their actions and decisions.
Reflecting on the strides made since assuming office in December 2023, Dr. Aliyu underscored the strategic partnerships forged with government agencies in the anti-corruption crusade.
‘’The collaborative approach has yielded significant progress. This effort has led to the invitation, renewal, and establishment of numerous mutually beneficial partnerships, adding that ‘’The Commission’s anti-corruption strategy goes beyond collaboration. It also strengthens law enforcement (investigations, prosecutions) and tackles vulnerabilities in government systems…’’ he added.
