The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Ugandan Government are considering a partnership to enhance transparency and accountability in constituency and executive projects tracking.
This initiative emerged during a study visit by Uganda’s Parliamentary Budget Committee members to ICPC’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit is aimed at understanding Nigeria’s project tracking framework and how Uganda can adopt a similar system.
Speaking at the event, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), represented by the commission’s Secretary, Mr. Clifford Oparaodu, underscored the importance of project tracking in ensuring efficient public service delivery.
He noted that ICPC has made significant strides, in tracking constituency and executive projects, leading to notable recoveries and curbing corruption.
“Project tracking requires expertise, especially in Africa, where community-based projects are often hijacked by individuals,” Mr. Oparaodu said. “It is a critical area of concern, and we welcome collaboration to share insights and best practices.”
He encouraged the Ugandan delegation to fully engage with ICPC experts during the visit, expressing optimism that Uganda could develop a similar initiative tailored to its governance structure.
Remigio Achia, Vice Chairman of Uganda’s Parliamentary Budget Committee and head of the delegation, explained that the visit was part of their studies at the Nigerian Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
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He emphasized Uganda’s interest in ensuring that constituency projects directly benefit citizens, particularly as the country prepares to reinstate constituency project funding.
“Although, constituency project funds were previously removed from Uganda’s budget, we are now on the verge of restoring them. It is crucial to study ICPC’s approach to prevent fund mismanagement,” Mr. Achia stated.
The visit concluded with a presentation by Mr. Jimoh Sulahiman, Deputy Director and Head of ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative (CEPTi).
He provided insights into how Nigeria’s project tracking system enhances good governance by ensuring that parliamentarians effectively allocate and execute constituency projects.
Mr. Sulahiman highlighted the initiative’s success in improving project execution rates and preventing corruption, making it a valuable model for other African nations.
