Tracka, a project monitoring initiative of the Nigerian civic-tech organization BudgIT, has released a damning report exposing widespread project abandonment and potential fraud in the utilization of public funds. The report, “Achieving National Development through Efficient Service Delivery,” reveals that a staggering N3.9 billion earmarked for critical infrastructure projects has been effectively wasted, with 129 projects left abandoned despite contractors receiving substantial payments. This troubling revelation underscores systemic issues within Nigeria’s public procurement and project execution processes, raising serious questions about accountability and transparency.
The core of the report focuses on 15 projects across nine states where contractors received a total of N2.4 billion but failed to even commence work. These ghost projects, scattered across the country, represent a stark betrayal of public trust and a gross misuse of taxpayer money. The report highlights several egregious examples, including the rehabilitation of the Welcome-Nasarawa-Farewell road in Nasarawa State, where Mainstream Contractors received N401 million but initiated no construction activity. Similarly, Icent Light Ltd. received N153 million for a town hall project in Delta State, and A3 Interbiz Link Service Limited obtained N88 million for a primary healthcare centre in Osun State, yet both projects remain untouched. These examples, amongst many others, illustrate a pervasive pattern of financial mismanagement and potential corruption.
Tracka’s investigation, encompassing 1,404 projects worth N282.5 billion across 25 states, paints a broader picture of inefficiency and mismanagement. While some projects reached completion (720 projects, 51%) and others were ongoing (332 projects, 24%), a significant portion either remained unexecuted (223 projects, 16%) or were abandoned after receiving funding (129 projects, 9%). This data reveals a concerning lack of oversight and accountability within the government’s project management framework. The vast sums of money allocated to these unexecuted and abandoned projects represent a significant drain on national resources and a lost opportunity for much-needed development.
Further analysis by Tracka assessed the performance of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This assessment revealed stark disparities in project execution efficiency. The Universal Basic Education Commission emerged as the top performer with a 78% completion rate, followed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture (68%) and the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency (65%). However, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (16%) and the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (20%) lagged considerably, demonstrating significant inefficiencies in project implementation within certain government bodies. This disparity highlights the need for targeted interventions and enhanced oversight to address the weaknesses within underperforming MDAs.
BudgIT’s Country Director, Gabriel Okeowo, expressed deep concern over the report’s findings, characterizing capital projects as major conduits for embezzlement and misappropriation. He criticized the lack of effective oversight mechanisms and highlighted the potential for collusion between MDAs and contractors, leading to project abandonment. Okeowo stressed the urgent need for the current administration and anti-corruption agencies to address these systemic issues, hold defaulters accountable, and prevent further financial leakages. He emphasized that unchecked corruption in public project execution undermines national development and diverts scarce resources from crucial infrastructure investments.
In response to these alarming findings, Tracka has issued a call to action. The organization urges Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to launch thorough investigations into the irregularities highlighted in the report. Tracka also implores elected representatives to prioritize the completion of these abandoned projects, ensuring that allocated funds are ultimately used for the benefit of the Nigerian people. This collective effort, encompassing government agencies, elected officials, and civil society organizations, is crucial to stemming the tide of corruption and ensuring accountability in public project execution. Ultimately, the success of these efforts will determine whether Nigeria can effectively utilize its resources to address its pressing infrastructure needs and achieve meaningful development.
