Corruption: ICPC hands over recovered looted ambulances to community leader in Sokoto
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, has on Monday, handed over two recovered ambulances to Hajia Rakiya Maternity Hospital in Sabon Birnin, Sokoto State.
FUSION CHRONICLES NIGERIA NEWSPAPER gathered that the vehicles were recovered by ICPC officials through the Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative of the commission.
The ICPC Resident Commissioner for Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, Mr Garba Tukur-Idris, presented the recovered vehicles to the community leader, Alhaji Aliyu Gobir, on behalf of the benefiting communities.
The commissioner explained further that the vehicles were part of a health clinic project initiated by the then Senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial Zone, Sen. Ibrahim Gobir.
Adding that during the ICPC tracking exercise, the ambulances were traced to different locations other than the lawmaker’s stated destination.
Tukur-Idris further mentioned that the vehicles and their accessories had remained intact at the commission’s office since their recovery, and all necessary investigations had been completed.
“The ambulances are hereby handed over to the community for onward use by the citizens,” he said. “I urge the local council authorities, healthcare workers, and community members to ensure proper use of the vehicles.”
He further explained that CEPTI had saved the country hundreds of millions of naira through its various phases. “Some uncompleted projects not only deprive Nigerians of basic amenities and infrastructure but also pose security risks,”
He also underlined the importance of the private sector in monitoring the implementation of constituency projects in the country. “Completed projects are major dividends of democracy, fostering growth and development at the grassroots.”
“Lack of accountability in the execution of projects is a red flag of systemic corruption that shortchanges the electorate and deprives them of essential social systems that should be readily available,” Tukur-Idris said.
“The private sector has a major role to play in identifying and preventing corruption in project execution,” he continued, expressing appreciation for the increased involvement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), NGOs, and other stakeholders while seeking more support.
The community leader, Alhaji Aliyu Gobir, District Head of Unguwar Mai Lalle, during his remarks expressed gratitude to the commission for its swift response to public complaints. He also commended the commission for its commitment to combating corruption and assured that the vehicles would be used judiciously. FCNN learnt that the the handover ceremony was witnessed by Rabi’u S-Gobir, the Personal Assistant to former Sen. Gobir, along with other ICPC officials.
