The federal ministry of housing and urban development has announced joint tracking and verification of constituency and zonal intervention projects executed by the ministry across the country, with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, signed by Badamasi S. Haiba, Director, Press and Public Relations, that the exercise is to ensure that all its projects nationwide are delivered in accordance with approved specifications.
The statement added that while the Ministry’s Special Projects Unit supervises the execution of projects, the ICPC ensures compliance, due diligence, and integrity in budget implementation and public expenditure.
Speaking at the official flag-off of the joint verification exercise in Kano, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, represented by the Director, Special Projects Unit, Olatunde Ajayi, stated that the flag-off exercise is being conducted simultaneously in all states where the projects were implemented.
He explained that the initiative was designed to evaluate the impact of constituency projects and ensure that Nigerians derive the intended socio-economic benefits.
“This joint verification and tracking exercise with the ICPC is aimed at evaluating the impact of these projects and ensuring that they are executed to standard for the benefit of the people,” Belgore said.
He emphasized that the exercise underscores the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public resources, while also serving as a clear signal to contractors.
“The Ministry, in collaboration with relevant oversight agencies, will not hesitate to invite contractors for corrective action where deficiencies are identified, or demand refunds to government coffers where projects have clearly failed to meet contractual obligations,” he added.
According to him, reports generated from the exercise will support evidence-based decision-making, assist the Ministry in assessing the relevance and level of implementation of projects, and highlight areas requiring adjustment to strengthen future planning and interventions.
Also speaking, the ICPC Head of Constituency Projects Tracking, Bello Idris Bakori noted that the Commission’s participation reflects its mandate to prevent corruption through proactive monitoring of public projects.
He explained that the joint effort is intended to deter sharp practices, promote transparency in project execution, and ensure that public funds allocated to constituency interventions translate into tangible development outcomes for citizens.
Bakori assured that findings from the exercise would be thoroughly documented and followed up in line with extant laws and procedures to safeguard public interest.
Some of the projects visited by the joint team during the flag off of the tracking exercise in Kano include; provision and installation of solar streetlights lights in GGSS Kwa, Bichii local government and Rimingado local government, and construction of sporting facility, indoor complex, football fitch and pavillion in Gwarzo town.
Others are construction of Badume – Kyauta road in Dawakin Tofa – Bichi local governments. The tracking exercise of projects executed in Kano state continues tomorrow.
