FG To Engage CSO In Monitoring Projects Financed With Abacha Loot

The federal government says it will appoint civil society organisation (CSO) to keep tab of the execution of projects that are bankrolled with the $311million Abacha loot repatriated to Nigeria.

Recall that Nigeria had recovered the fund stolen during the late military ruler Sani Abacha regime from the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey.

The approval of the CSO engagement is to ensure transparency and accountability in the spending of the recovered funds, a statement from the office Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice disclosed.

Ekohotblog reports that among projects award for consultancy monitoring are 2nd Niger Bridge, Abuja to Kano Express Way and Lagos to Ibadan Expressway.

According to the statement by Umar Gwandu, special assistant on media and public relations to  the AGF, the projects were awarded to to CLEEN Foundation, a Nigerian-based CSO, ”

“The selection process included the participation of the other two countries that signed the tripartite agreement for the return of the Abacha stolen assets; the United States of America and the Bailiwick of Jersey” the statement read.

“This engagement is in line with President Buhari’s commitment to open government and the principles of The Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) as well as the UN Convention Against Corruption provisions on Asset Recovery.”

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The statement disclosed that the FG assented after Malami made a presentation on the competitive bidding process involving 17 Nigerian and international CSOs and businesses.