A staggering N2.4 billion was disbursed for 15 federal government projects across nine states in 2023, but shockingly, not a single contractor has begun work on these sites. This alarming revelation comes from Tracka, BudgIT’s service delivery promotion platform, which empowers citizens to track and provide feedback on public projects in their communities.
The disbursed funds were paid to 17 contractors for various projects, including:
– *Rehabilitation of Welcome-Nasarawa-Farewell*: N401 million paid to Mainstream Contractors in December 2023
– *Fencing, Landscaping and Completion of Onicha-Uku Town Hall*: N153 million paid to Icent Light Ltd between August and November 2023
– *Construction and Equipping of PHC Centre*: N88 million paid to A3 Interbiz Link Service Limited in December 2023
These payments are part of the N3.9 billion allocated for abandoned projects nationwide, as highlighted in Tracka’s 2023/2024 Report, “Achieving National Development through Efficient Service Delivery.” The report, launched on January 30, 2025, in Abuja, monitored 1,404 projects worth N282.5 billion across 25 states.
Key Findings from the Report
– 720 projects (51%) were completed
– 332 projects (24%) were ongoing
– 129 projects (9%) were either abandoned or fraudulently executed
– 223 projects (16%) were not executed
The report also ranked ten Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) based on project implementation rates. The top performers were:
– Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC): 78% project completion rate
– Federal Ministry of Agriculture : 68% project completion rate
– Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency: 65% project completion rate
In contrast, the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs ranked low, with 20% and 16% project completion rates, respectively.
Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT’s Country Director, expressed concern over the non-execution of critical public projects despite fund disbursement.
He emphasized the need for improved oversight and accountability to prevent embezzlement and misappropriation.
The report’s findings underscore the importance of effective project management and oversight to ensure the optimal utilization of public funds. As the federal government continues to allocate funds for capital projects, it is crucial to address the loopholes and inefficiencies that hinder project execution.
According Gabriel Okeowo, “We call on the anti-graft agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate these discrepancies in the 2023 budget expenditures and prosecute erring contractors. We also urge elected representatives to prioritise addressing abandoned projects outlined in the report to ensure the effective utilisation of public funds for maximum impact”, he added.