Investigations by Vanguard have revealed that constituency projects contained in the 2013 budget may never be implemented this year as all the relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government had been directed to refrain from executing them.
It was also gathered that permanent secretaries and directors of various MDAs were directed not to execute constituency projects as that responsibility had been handed over to the Ministry of Special Duties.
However, it was further learnt that despite this directive, which was said to have emanated from the Federal Executive Council, no allocation of funds was made to the Ministry of Special Duties to carry out this assignment.
Commenting on why no allocation was made to the Ministry, despite the assignment given to it, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Dr. Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had reportedly said that payments for constituency projects would only be made after contractors handling such projects must have finished executing the relevant projects.
Speaking on the development on condition of anonymity, a senior officer at the Special Duties Ministry who expressed frustration over the development, said: “This was an assignment that was given to our Minister, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, by President Jonathan.
“But from the look of things, carrying out the assignment has been stalled due to the posture of Okonjo-Iweala.”
