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From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Benue State office has commenced tracking of 34 constituency projects in over 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs), of the state.
The tracking exercise which commenced with the supply of medical equipment at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, as well as Tarka LGA, was to ascertain the level of compliance with the specifications and standards of the projects.
Leader of the tracking team, Murtala Lawal who spoke during the field trips said the exercise will be extended to other Local Government Areas including Gwer West, Gwer East, Apa, Agatu, Otukpo, Ado, Kwande, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Buruku, Vandekiya and Ohimini.
Mr Lawal stated that the exercise was in line with the mandate of his office to ensure that all contracts awarded by the Federal Government are executed according to the specifications and budgetary provisions.
Speaking after the visits, the team leader who expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance so far however regretted the delay in completion of the installation of CT Scan machine at the Federal Medical Centre, Apir saying the project was awarded since year 2024. He enjoined the management to ensure its complete installation for the use of the general public.
“We have started the phase 8 tracking of Constituency projects in Benue state. Day one we concentrated on projects domiciled under FMC. We have our reservations on some of the projects but others were done well.
“The ICPC would not relent in tracking and monitoring projects and we would ensure that any project that money has been released, we must see the monetary value of those projects done.”
He said the commission will sustain efforts in tracking all constituency projects insisting that such projects were sponsored by the Federal Government for the benefits of the masses and not from personal pockets of politicians.
Mr Lawal, encouraged people to own the projects sited in their communities and protect them as well as report any sharp practices around them to ICPC office for necessary action.
The procurement officer at Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Mr Tersoo Awunde explained that apart from the CT Scanner which has been procured but yet to be installed due to lack releases from budgetary provisions, the hospital has executed all projects that funds were provided for.
The team visited and tracked the Comprehensive Medical Outreach In Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, Gboko, Benue State the Supply And Installation 32 Slice Computed Tomography (CT SCANNER) Machine, the supply of health materials (beds, mattresses, mosquito nets and other consumables) in selected Primary Health Care Centres In Gboko Federal Constituency.
The fourth project tracked was the construction of special purpose block in selected health care centres in Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency.
