CODE seeks collaboration with ICPC to track constituency projects

CODE seeks collaboration with ICPC to track constituency projects

By: Our Correspondent

Connected Development (CODE) has sought collaboration with the Kaduna State office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) to ensure proper utilization of constituency projects.

The state Team Lead of CODE, Mohammed Abubakar, asserted this when he led a delegation from CODE, Community Monitoring Teams (CMT), and the media to the ICPC Kaduna office on Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Abubakar stated that the purpose of the visit was to establish collaboration with the commission to advocate for transparency, accountability, and good governance. He said, “Exploring collaboration with the ICPC is a strategic move to collectively combat corruption, illicit financial flows and track to completion development projects in rural areas so people can have access to potable drinking water, standard healthcare, and even primary education.”

The Project Assistant of CODE in Kaduna, Zaraphat Haruna, said the visit aimed to build synergy with the commission, especially in the area of constituency projects. In his remarks, Mr. Bello Buhari of Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Team of the Commission said the Kaduna office has been engaged in constituency project tracking to ensure that projects are done to the required standards and more appropriate for such projects are justified.

Bello stressed that ICPC is also partnering with CODE on mobilizing the youth, through CODE’s Follow The Money University Campus Tour, on an anti-corruption movement where young people are sensitized on good governance and the movement to end corruption in Nigeria.

The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of Kaduna State, Prince Hassan Mohammed, said there is already an existing partnership between CODE and ICPC in respect of constituency project tracking. He explained that the Commission, under the Chairmanship of Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, is determined to track constituency projects, especially in the Local Government Areas (LGAs), to combat corruption in the country.

Prince Hassan Mohammed stated, “Implementation of constituency projects is one of the ways by which we can ensure that what the Presidency desires to do connects with the people. Every year, funds are budgeted for constituency projects, yet people at the grassroots, especially, are not beneficiaries.” He assured the CODE delegation of a robust relationship, saying the commission’s doors are open to CODE and other organizations with similar aims and objectives.