In a video clip seen by SaharaReporters, Kingibe questioned the lack of detailed records on key projects. She said, “One of the things I asked the committee for is that the Director General of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority should show us or give us a list.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial district, has raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the implementation of government projects within the FCT.
She criticised the Director General of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority over project completion claims, saying, “Of the payments and I want to know who said the projects were fine and signed off. I sent for some of those roads.
“They just broke the road. There’s nothing there.”
In a video clip seen by SaharaReporters, Kingibe questioned the lack of detailed records on key projects. She said, “One of the things I asked the committee for is that the Director General of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority should show us or give us a list.
“He says, construction of perimeter fence, external work and furnishing of healthcare centres across the three area councils of FCT. Which healthcare centres and which area councils? He’s the only one who knows.”
The senator expressed her frustration at being unable to verify the work, noting that despite the DG’s “100% completion” claims, specific details were missing.
“When he gave me the 100%, he just put it 100% completed, and he didn’t tell us where they’re located,” she explained.
“Renovation of public and community structures in FCT senatorial district… Where are they located? How many public and community structures? I want to know.”
Kingibe called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the projects, asserting her commitment to accountability.
“Those are the things I asked EFCC to investigate, show them to me, because I cannot say zonal Intervention. All the zonal Intervention projects I have done since I became a senator are all documented with photographs and documents, except for these ones.”
She also highlighted her struggle to verify specific projects, including borehole rehabilitation and fertiliser distribution, stating, “I need to know the specific locations of those boreholes and where they are located.
“I need visuals of them. Supply of fertilisers to farmers. I need the list of farmers, because the ones I did myself, I can show you the list of the farmers and where they’re located, sir.”
Refusing to be silenced during the committee session, Kingibe asserted her right to transparency, stating, “No, Sherman, you’re not stopping me. I’m sorry. No way.”
She emphasised her commitment to resolving these issues, saying, “Yes, you can set up the committee, but I will say my piece, especially since he did not turn up today.
“So, I will say it, because the minister is his immediate boss. I should know that this is ongoing, and there’s a list of them, 14 projects, and I intend to get to the bottom of this.”
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