Yusuf Oketola
A civil society organisation, Urban Alert and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in the State of Osun have concluded plans to track execution of Zonal Intervention projects facilitated by National Assembly members from the state.
According to Urban Alert, a sum of N1.6 billion was allotted for zonal intervention projects for Senators and House of Assembly members from the State of Osun annually.
However, many residents of the state are unaware of the projects and some of the projects were said to have been personalised by their facilitators.
Urban Alert’s Team Lead, Mr. Anthony Adejuwon, said the organisation paid an advocacy visit to ICPC Office in Osogbo on Monday and deliberated on key issues surrounding corruption in public project execution and the need to form a formidable force to fight the issues with the commission.
According to Adejuwon in a press statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, both Urban Alert and ICPC agreed on the need for synergy and collaboration in line with ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Project Tracking initiative (CEPTi).
The Resident Commissioner of ICPC in the state, Mr. Ademola Bakare, expressed the willingness of the anti-graft agency to partner with Urban Alert to ensure corruption-free public projects, as reported in the statement.
According to the statement, Bakare stated that partnerships with NGOs and Civil Society Organisations is essential to address the state of corruption in the country.
The Resident Commissioner further emphasised the practice of integrity as a key to sustaining the relationship with ICPC.
With the partnership, ICPC and Urban Alert is set to bring information to the doorsteps of citizens for them to demand timely and quality Zonal Intervention Projects devoid of corruption.
