A civic accountability organisation, MonITng, has raised serious concerns over a 2025 Zonal Intervention Project in Abia State, alleging a lack of transparency, misplacement of priorities, and potential misuse of public funds.
In a statement addressed to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) on Wednesday, the group flagged irregularities in Project Code: ZIP20250570, described as the “Construction of Perimeter Fence in Selected Schools in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State (Lots 1–3), with a staggering allocation of ₦1.3 billion.”
According to MonITng, “The project is to be implemented by the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, under the Ministry of Agriculture. This immediately raises red flags.”
The group questioned the rationale behind assigning an agricultural research institute to handle education infrastructure.
“Why should an agricultural research institute, whose mandate is crop science and food security, be saddled with executing school construction projects? This is a clear case of agencies without the technical capacity being used as facilitators, undermining transparency and quality delivery.”
It also expressed concern over the lack of project details, stating, “Even more troubling, the project description deliberately hides critical information. It simply states ‘selected schools,’ without specifying their names, locations, or conditions.”
“This opacity is a breeding ground for corruption, inflated contracts, ghost projects, or outright diversion of funds. Citizens have the right to know where ₦1.3 billion of taxpayers’ money is going,” the group added.
MonITng further criticised the project’s priorities, arguing that many schools in the area lack basic infrastructure.
“Building perimeter fences in schools that are in deplorable condition, where children sit on bare floors, classrooms are dilapidated, roofs are falling, and basic furniture is absent, is a gross misplacement of priority. What is the value of a fence when pupils have no safe and conducive learning environment inside the classrooms?”
The organisation called for immediate action from anti-corruption agencies. “We call on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (@icpcnigeria) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (@officialEFCC) to immediately investigate this project.”
“Both agencies must scrutinise why an agricultural institute is implementing education infrastructure and ensure accountability for every kobo spent,” it said.
It also urged the Ministry of Agriculture to provide transparency. “Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture must publish the specific list of schools in Bende Federal Constituency where these fences are to be constructed.”
“Nigerians deserve full transparency. If this project is genuine, there should be nothing to hide,” the group emphasised.
Highlighting broader concerns about the misuse of constituency projects, MonITng noted, “Constituency projects were designed to bring development closer to the people, but what we see today is a distortion of purpose, agencies without capacity are used to channel billions into questionable projects, while real needs of communities remain unmet. ₦1.3 billion could transform dozens of schools by providing new classrooms, desks, water facilities, and teaching materials. Instead, it is being funneled into fences.”
“This is unacceptable. We demand accountability, transparency, and a proper investigation to ensure that public funds deliver real value to citizens,” the statement concluded.