A civil society, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative, has asked the Federal Government and its anti-graft agencies to investigate road projects in Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states which were awarded but not completed, according to the 2016 Auditor-General of the Federation report.
The PLSI said the over N1.6 billion road projects were for the Akungba-Ikare-Omuo-Kabba road awarded for N1.5 billion and the major link road from Kisi through Oke Ogun to Ibadan in Oyo State which was awarded for N99.8million.
The PLSI, while making reference to the AGF’s audit report, noted on Sunday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission must probe the two projects and recover the allegedly mismanaged funds.
The PLSI Executive Director, Olusegun Elemo, said, “Data from 2016 Audit Report of the Federation revealed how a contract for Rehabilitation of the 24kilometres Akungba-Ikare-Omuo-Kabba road awarded for N1.5billion with a commencement date of April 2009 had been abandoned since January 2012. The project site when visited to ascertain implementation status showed a deplorable condition.
“Also, a major link road from Kisi through Oke Ogun to Ibadan in Oyo State for rehabilitation was poorly implemented. The repair work done is nothing near the amount paid on the contract. The contractor according to the federal auditors failed to account for N44.8million.
“Anti-corruption agencies, particularly ICPC and EFCC should investigate the transaction and recover from the Vice-Chancellor and contractor the sums being the full payment for the contract not executed and refund this to the Federal Government.
“The Fiscal Responsibility Commission should conduct a thorough investigation into the violation of the Financial Regulation 3104 which stipulates that no payment shall be made for contracts not executed and the commission must equally recommend appropriate sanctions against indicted officers.”
The PLSI noted that the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly should also recommend the fiscal measures to prevent the recurrence of such in public institutions.
