In a statement issued on Monday, the group alleged that the project has appeared in federal budgets for two consecutive years while significant sums have reportedly been released to a contractor without mobilisation to site.
A civic accountability organisation, MonITNG, has accused the Federal Ministry of Works of repeatedly allocating funds for the construction of the 1.5km Irete–Ndegwu Road in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State despite the absence of any visible work on the project site.
In a statement issued on Monday, the group alleged that the project has appeared in federal budgets for two consecutive years while significant sums have reportedly been released to a contractor without mobilisation to site.
The organisation said, "This project first appeared in the 2023 Federal Government budget and was inexplicably recycled again in 2024, despite having no trace of execution on the ground."
It identified the project as a new intervention under Code ERGP202303924, noting: "The project, Code ERGP202303924, titled Construction of 1.5km Irete–Ndegwu Road, Owerri West LGA, Imo State, was approved as a new intervention with a total sum of ₦400 million under the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing."
MonITNG said findings from Tracka, a budget monitoring platform, further raised concerns.
It said, "Tracka’s findings revealed that in October 2024, the Federal Ministry of Works released an alarming ₦273.3 million to Pinnatech Engineering Ltd for the construction of this road. The Irete–Ndegwu Road is not optional infrastructure; it is a crucial link that supports movement, trade, healthcare access, and education for multiple communities in Owerri West."
The statement added that no progress has been recorded despite the release.
It said, "Over a year later, there is nothing to show for the huge public expenditure. No contractors on site. No construction equipment. No signboard. No gravel, drainage work, or asphalt."
Physical inspections carried out by Tracka monitors reportedly confirmed the non-execution.
The group stated, "When Tracka community monitors visited the project location recently, they found the road unchanged, muddy, flooded, and dangerous, just as it has been for years."
The organisation highlighted the human impact of the abandoned project.
According to the statement, "Children still trek through floodwater on their way to school. Pregnant women are forced onto motorcycles during medical emergencies."
It added that the situation also affects commerce and local livelihoods.
The group said, "Traders lose income as goods fail to reach markets on time. Instead of bringing relief, this project has become another painful reminder of broken promises and systemic neglect."
MonITNG also raised concerns about repeated allocations.
It stated, "Even more troubling is the fact that the same abandoned road is listed as 'ONGOING' in the 2024 Federal Budget under Code ERGP12209601, with an additional ₦71.75 million allocated. The earlier ₦273.3 million appears to have vanished, yet the project is repeatedly reintroduced on paper while communities remain stranded."
The organisation argued that this goes beyond bureaucratic inefficiency.
It said, "This is not a case of weak implementation. It reflects a deeper problem of deliberate misuse of public funds carried out without consequences."
According to the group, communities have endured years of hardship linked to the project’s abandonment.
It noted, "The people of Irete, Ndegwu, and neighbouring communities have endured enough hardship, preventable accidents, and unnecessary suffering."
MonITNG called on the Federal Ministry of Works to provide full transparency on the contract.
The statement said, "We demand immediate transparency from the Federal Ministry of Works, including the release of the full contract documents, payment records, valuation certificates, and clear evidence of any work claimed to have been done."
The organisation also urged anti-graft bodies to intervene, saying, "We also call on the ICPC Nigeria and EFCC to commence a thorough investigation into Pinnatech Engineering Ltd and all officials involved in approving, certifying, and releasing these funds without mobilisation to site."
It concluded by stressing the need for accountability. "Public funds must be traced, recovered where misused, and this road constructed without further delay. The people deserve accountability, justice, and a safe, motorable road now," the group said.