FG to probe Senators, Reps over constituency projects

The Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government is set to probe Senators and House of Representative members  over non executed constituency projects earmarked for them in the 2014 and 2015 budgets. Recall that recently, former chairman, House committee on
appropriation, Mr Abdulmumin Jibrin had petitioned the EFCC, ICPC, the police and the Department of State Services, alleging that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, and three other principal officers had requested the inclusion of N40bn projects in the 2016 budget, besides other projects in sums ranging from N20bn to N30bn.

According to the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN) who revealed this to Punch newspaper, the sum of constituency projects totalled N200bn for the two years, that is, N100bn each year. He revealed that the compilation was being done by the police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission. “The money for constituency projects had been taken, but certain allegations prevailed that some constituency projects were not executed after the money had been paid 100 per cent. “If money is appropriated in the budget, paid and the projects the funds were meant for were not executed, it is only natural to take steps to find out what happened. If neither the money nor the project can be produced, then you must take steps in accordance with the law.


“There are cases that are specific; we are compiling them. I will not want to pre-empt investigation, we have to allow investigation to be concluded before we go public,” the AGF was quoted. But both the Senate and House of Reps have denied pocketing funds for constituency projects stating that ministries, departments and agencies under the executive were responsible for the execution of constituency projects. The chairman, House committee on media and public affairs, Mr Abdulrazak Namdas, said; “Members do not execute constituency projects, and they don’t receive money for the projects. “For example, a health centre will naturally be done by the Ministry of Health or any agency so designated by the executive to handle the project. It is not the member who implements the project or appoints the contractors.”

On his part, Senator Adesoji Akanbi who represents Oyo South senatorial district at the Senate said any probe into the constituency projects should start from the executive. “There is a certain amount set aside for constituency projects. Each lawmaker is allocated a certain amount of money and they will identify the projects of their choice. But the execution by contractors has nothing to do with lawmakers. The main role we play is to name the project and make sure that the project is executed.” Akanbi, however, said lawmakers could be culpable in the manipulation because they had to certify that the job had been done before the contractor could be paid. Meanwhile, there have been a lot of drama at the National Assembly these few months which in some cases has generated backlash from Nigerians.