By Yakubu Salisu
A Kano based Non-Governmental Organisation, Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has launched an Anti-Corruption Project in the State.
The Project ‘Community-Driven Anti-Corruption Initiative in Kano State’ aims to mobilise citizens to put the spotlight on delivery of the critical service of Constituency Project in Kano.
Addressing news men today in Kano, the Executive Director of the Resource Centre, Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi said the project aims to address corruption and it’s debilitating effects on the delivery of quality social services to historically marginalised citizens in the state and Nigeria.
According to him, the project which is expected to run for a year will also address the opaqueness, lack of accountability and lack of transparency that have the implementation of Zonal Intervention Projects known as Constituency Projects.
He quoted the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) which said “the Constituency Project delivery process in Nigeria continues to be blighted by corruption, lack of beneficiary participation and poor project delivery outcomes, resulting in the loss of value and waste of scarce public resources”.
Zikirullahi further added that, CHRICED will facilitate the articulation and introduction of pro-poor constituents’ needs, concerns and issues into the 2025 budget processes and constituency projects in the three senatorial districts and advocate for robust implementation of OGP in the state through the facilitation of the Kano State Civil Society Accountability Forum.
While there would be an improved information flow and dialogue between constituents and political representatives in Kano State with emphasis on citizens interest in closely monitoring and tracking to ensure the duty bearers in the implementation agencies put these resources to proper use.
The Executive Director expressed profound gratitude to the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for its belief in the future of Nigeria and for its big bet on the future of millions of Nigerian people who could be potentially denied a chance in life if corruption is allowed to eclipse our governance system.