Constituency Projects: FG to Ensure Transparency, Accountability in Execution

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Office Accountant General of the Federation have held a strategy meeting on how to implement guidelines that will ensure more transparency and accountability in the execution of Zonal Intervention and Constituency Projects (ZIP/CP) funded by the federal government.

Under the revised guideline issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, dated 20th September, 2023, all ZIP/CP must be duly certified and approved by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs before any payments are made to contractors.

A statement signed by Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs, Maryam Mohammed, said the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, on Tuesday, met with the Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Shamsudeen Babatunde, at the Treasury House, Abuja.

The meeting focused on how best to collaborate to ensure strict adherence to a new guideline issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation which outlined revised guidelines on the implementation of zonal intervention projects and constituency projects

Maryam Mohammed said the meeting was aimed at fostering stronger inter-agency collaboration and enhancing transparency and accountability in the implementation of Zonal Intervention and Constituency Projects (ZIP/CP).

During the visit, Ihemelandu presented a newly issued circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, dated 20th September, 2023 to the Accountant General, which outlined revised guidelines on the implementation of ZIP/CP.

Ihemelandu said the revised guidelines provide that all ZIP/CP must be duly certified and approved by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs before any payments are made to contractors.

He explained the aim is to ensure that projects are executed to standard and to guarantee value for money in government expenditure.

The Permanent Secretary said the Ministry has put in place robust mechanisms to verify and validate all projects under its purview before certification is granted.

He further stressed the directive is in alignment with the principles of accountability, transparency, and good governance.

Ihemelandu urged the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to support the ministry’s efforts by ensuring full compliance with the revised guidelines and incorporating them into payment protocols.

He expressed the ministry’s readiness to work closely with the Office of the Accountant General to enhance project delivery and ensure that funds released for ZIP/CP are judiciously utilized for the benefit of the citizens.

On his part, Shamsudeen Babatunde commended the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs for the timely initiative and assured him of his office’s full cooperation.

He said his office will ensure that the directive is strictly adhered to adding that it will serve as a prerequisite document for processing all payments relating to the zonal intervention projects and constituency projects.

Babatunde further pledged to collaborate with the Ministry by ensuring that the contents of the circular are communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

He also requested that the ministry provide a resource person to enlighten stakeholders on the importance of project certification and approval by FMSDIGA before payment.

He noted that all subsequent circulars issued by the Office of the Accountant General in relation to capital projects and ZIP/CP will include a dedicated paragraph emphasizing strict adherence to this directive.