In a bid to ensure that corrupt individuals who deprive constituents their rights are exposed and to also see that citizens are fully included in the delivery of constituency projects, the Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has tasked constituents of Kano central senatorial district to report any corrupt practice in the delivery of constituency projects in their locality.
In his welcome address, Comr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi, the Executive Director of CHRICED, represented by the senior programs officer Mr Omoniyi Adewoye said “As ordinary people, there is always a tendency to talk about corruption happening in government and lack of dividends of democracy. We voted politicians into office and go to sleep, expecting them to bring to us the rich harvest of democracy.
“As a citizen and a voter, you must become a lot more interested in what happens to the projects around your domain. As we all know, the constituency project is one of the many government programs, which could have helped spread development, and give citizens a sense of belonging and benefits from public resources.
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“As a knowledge-driven platform of active citizens working for the promotion of human rights, rule of law, democracy, and accountability, CHRICED remains committed to the realization of a democratic Nigeria where participation, inclusion, and transparency are guaranteed, and state and non-state actors actively collaborate towards accountable and responsive use of resources for the collective well-being of citizens.” He said.
Mr Michael Nzekwe, the deputy zonal commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kano, told the constituents that it was part of the EFCC’s mandate to see that corrupt officials who nominate constituency projects and not deliver them are brought to book. He urged the citizens to be vigilant and report any case of abandoned or undelivered project.
“Citizens are the primary beneficiaries of constituency projects but some corrupt individuals intentionally deprive citizens their rights. In cases where you notice such, report to the EFCC through our Eagle Eye application or through our numbers and emails and we will investigate such projects to ensure that the citizens are given their constitutional rights.
Similarly, Mr Ibrahim Garba, an official of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) urged the constituents to have an understanding of how the budget works in order to know how much money is being awarded for various projects in their localities. He said it was ICPC’s obligation to ensure that corruption in the delivery of constituency projects are dealt with.
“Ensure to utilize our platform which is called the Wahala Dey App to report corrupt cases in constituency project delivery. Also, make use of Budgit.com to get more information about various projects, including the ones nominated for your various localities. It is your duty to report such cases to us and we will swiftly go into action.” He said.
Suleiman Daud, a resident of Kumbotso Local Government Area (LGA) while speaking to Daily News24 said the constituents in Kumbotso were often times not engaged by their representatives before the erection of certain structures or projects in their localities. He said Kumbotso was in dire need of an effective and well functional Primary Healthcare Facility, Drainages, amongst others.
He also said “Certain empowerments in guise of constituency projects whereby constituents will be given a sum of N5, 000 or N10, 000 isn’t working. The people will spend the money and go back to square one. It isn’t sustainable at all.” He said.
