Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, has exonerated the Federal Government from being responsible for lack of constituency projects, as he alleged that federal lawmakers not only identify constituency projects, but also choose contractors for the execution of the projects.
This was contrary to the usual claims of members of the National Assembly that they have nothing to do with constituency projects, rather than identifying such for the executive arm of government.
Turaki made the disclosure in Abuja, on Thursday, while delivering his keynote address at a one-day stakeholders’ forum on implementation of constituency projects organised by his ministry.
He said although the federal lawmakers, who are the originators of the constituency projects development programme are not the ones effecting payments for contractors handling the projects, they determine, decide and choose those who implement the projects.
“Each member of the National Assembly has an envelope with absolute and exclusive discretion in deciding and determining the type of constituency project that should be cited in his or her constituency as well as choosing those who will implement the project”, he said.
He further linked both the idea and implementation of the constituency projects to the National Assembly as he said, “I will like to affirm that the idea of constituency projects is a noble one conceived to assist members of the National Assembly as elected representatives of the people to facilitate the development of their constituencies.”
The minister was, however, quick to add that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are responsible for the actual implementation of the projects under the direct supervision, monitoring and claims verifications of his ministry.
“The Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are for the actual implementation of these projects while my ministry will monitor, evaluate, verify implementation and authorise payment at various stages of execution”, he said.
He also said contractors handling constituency projects would only be paid upon authorisation and recommendation by his ministry to the Federal Ministry of Finance.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to, all times, ensure implementation of constituency projects with all sense of sincerity.
Senators Ali Ndume and Clever Ikisikpo had earlier said at the forum that the idea of constituency projects came from the National Assembly during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration for meaningful development at the grass roots on yearly basis.
They however said there was no time members of the National Assembly went beyond the level of identifying the needed critical projects at their various constituencies for capturing in the national budget.
Senator Ndume, who is the chairman, Senate Committee on MDGs, had earlier estimated the amount spent on constituency projects in the past nine years as around N900bn, said that the failure of the executive arm at the three tiers of government to effectively execute critical projects for the development of the various constituencies in the federation, necessitated the idea of including constituency projects in the national budget on year basis.
“This however has, over the years, created wrong impressions in the polity that we, members of the National Assembly, are the deciders and implementers of the projects.
“Some even have the erroneous belief that we are directly collecting monies earmarked for the projects from the executives.
“All these are not true. Ours as always said over the years, is to identify the projects for the executives for the needed implementations”, he said.
Ndume added that a bill that would make the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs to be legally in charge of the cordination and supervision of the constituency projects was already on the floor of the Senate for consideration.
“The bill has passed through the first reading in the Senate and I am the one sponsoring it. But when we resume, I hope that it will be passed.
Constituency projects need legal backing. Even in Southern Sudan, it is called Constituency Development Bill,” he said.