On Monday, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) officially handed over two ambulances to the Hajia Rakiya Maternally Hospital in Sabon Birnin, Sokoto State.
The ambulances were recovered through the commission’s Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative, a program aimed at monitoring and ensuring the proper use of funds allocated for public projects.
The presentation ceremony was led by Mr. Garba Tukur-Idris, the ICPC Resident Commissioner for Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states. He handed the vehicles over to the Sabon Birnin community leader, Alhaji Aliyu Gobir, on behalf of the benefiting communities.
The ambulances, which had been recovered after being diverted from their intended destination, were traced to various locations aside from the one specified by the project initiator, former Senator Ibrahim Gobir, who represented Sokoto-East Senatorial Zone at the time the project was launched.
Tukur-Idris highlighted that the vehicles and their accessories had been securely stored in the commission’s office since the completion of the investigations, awaiting proper handover.
He urged local authorities, healthcare workers, and community members to ensure the ambulances are used appropriately, stressing that the proper use of such resources is vital to the delivery of healthcare services in the region.
“Some uncompleted projects not only deprive Nigerians of basic amenities and infrastructure, but they also pose security risks,” Tukur-Idris said during the ceremony.
He also emphasized the role of the private sector in holding government entities accountable, particularly in the execution of constituency projects.
According to him, completed projects are a crucial part of democratic governance and contribute to the development of grassroots communities.
“The lack of accountability in the execution of projects is a red flag of systemic corruption that shortchanges the electorate and deprives them of beneficial social systems,” he added.
Tukur-Idris also commended the increased involvement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders in supporting the ICPC’s mission to combat corruption.
The vehicles’ recovery and handover follow a broader initiative by the ICPC to address mismanagement of public resources in Nigeria.
By closely monitoring the completion of constituency projects, the commission seeks to ensure that public funds allocated for development are utilized effectively and that the benefits reach the intended communities.
In his remarks after receiving the ambulances, the District Head of Unguwar Mai Lalle, Alhaji Aliyu Gobir, expressed his gratitude to the ICPC for its swift response to public complaints and its continued efforts in tackling corruption.
Gobir praised the commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability and assured that the ambulances would be used effectively for the benefit of the Sabon Birnin community.
The handover ceremony was also attended by Rabi’u S-Gobir, the Personnel Assistant to former Senator Gobir, along with other ICPC officials, further demonstrating the commission’s focus on ensuring the proper execution of public health initiatives.
The handover marks a significant step in restoring the integrity of constituency projects and ensuring that the people of Sokoto State receive the necessary resources for improved healthcare delivery.
