BudgIT, a civic-tech non-profit organisation, has questioned the allocation of N58.2 billion of the N100 billion earmarked for constituency projects on empowerment projects, among other irregularities.

Iyanu Fatoba, acting head, media and communications at BudgIT, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

BudgIT, through its project tracking arm, Tracka, said these empowerment projects, which are customarily vague and challenging to track, have been used as a funnel to transfer political benefits to party loyalists, particularly in a pre-election year by the national assembly.

According to Tracka’s analysis, the 2022 ZIPs consist of 41 projects with unspecified locations amounting to N4.89billion with the following breakdown by MDAs; Agriculture — 10, Education — 2, Health — 1, Humanitarian — 1, Information and Culture — 1, NASENI – 2, Science and Technology — 15, Water Resources — 3, SGF – 3, and Special Duties — 1.

“We would like to reiterate the importance of having detailed documentation of project locations as this provides the citizens with the correct information to hold the government accountable,” the statement reads.

“Whenever details of public projects are unavailable to the public, monitoring the implementation of such projects becomes difficult for the citizens, civil society, and auditing bodies. This creates a loophole for under-delivery and embezzlement of public funds.