The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has started tracking 18 constituency projects valued at N47.3 billion across the three senatorial districts of Ondo State.

The Assistant Chief Superintendent of Investigation in ICPC, Ondo office, Andrew Osove, made this known while speaking with the journalists during the monitoring and tracking of the projects on Thursday in Akure.

According to him, the exercise is the seventh phase of the Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative (CEPTI) of the commission carried out in 22 states, including Ondo State.

Mr Osove explained that some of the projects were executed by TEFund, senators, House of Representatives members, government intervention and ministries.

He said, “In Ondo Central Senatorial District, we have seven projects to track. In Ondo South, we have five projects to track and we also have five projects to track in the North Senatorial District. Meanwhile, there is one project spread across the senatorial districts, which is the household solar system where 100 households benefitted.

Some of the projects are on supply of education materials, road projects, electrical projects and others. In Akure alone, we are starting with the tracking of electrical projects awarded to provide light in some black spots identified in the town. So, the essence and the trust of the exercise is to ensure value for money in society.’’

Also, Principal Superintendent in ICPC, Ondo State, Jenmi Owolabi, said that the tracking was to ensure that the projects executed by the contractors were working perfectly.

He also said the exercise was to ensure uniformity with what the contractors were paid for.

Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors in Ondo State, Temitope Momoh, said a member of the tracking team, applauded ICPC for ensuring the contractors were prudent and judiciously used the public’s money.

Mrs Momoh said that the exercise would force people to give value to the money they collected.

She said, “The renovation of the town hall at the Deji of Akure’s palace is in good order but the only thing to confirm is the number of items supplied. Also, on the street light at Ilesha Garage, the number supplied is the same as the one installed. It is a nice one and I think I appreciate the effort of the ICPC so that the contractors are already on their toes.’’

Also, a resident of Aule, Akure, Oluyemi Torukerijo, where some solar systems were installed, commended ICPC for the exercise, saying it would put the contractors on their toes and to execute quality projects.

She said, “This is a good initiative and I appreciate the government for the project. Since the solar was installed, we have not put on our generator and many people have been coming to patronise my pharmaceutical shop at night because of the solar.”

The commission visited some other places such as Adegbola area of Akure, FUTA and others.

(NAN)