CODE to partner with ICPC to track constituency projects

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Connected Development (CODE) has sought for collaboration with the Kaduna office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) to ensure constituency projects are properly utilized.

The state Team lead of CODE, Mohammed Abubakar asserted this when he led a delegation of from CoDE, Community Monitoring Teams (CMT) and the Media to the ICPC Kaduna office yesterday.

Abubakar said the purpose of the visit was to establish collaboration with the Commission in advocating for transparency, accountability and good governance.

He adds: “ 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.”

Speaking earlier the Project Assistant of CODE in Kaduna, Zaraphat Haruna explained that the visit aims is to build a 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 projects Tltracking to ensure that projects are done to the required standards and more appropriate for such projects are justified.

Bello noted that ICPC is also partnering with CODE on mobilizing the youth, through CODEs 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.

Speaking earlier the Resident, Anti Commissioner Kaduna state Prince Hassan Mohammed, said there is already an existing partnership between CODE and ICPC in respect of consultancy projects tracking.

He explained that the Commission under the Chairmanship of Professor

Bolaji Owasanoye, was determined to track constituency projects, especially in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) to combat corruption in the country.

Mohammed opines that “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 however, assured the CODE delegation of robust relationship, saying the doors of the commission is open to CODE and others organization with similar aims and objectives.