Indications have emerged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) might be launching a probe into all contracts awarded in the Aviation Ministry during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, OsunDailyNG has learned.
The anti-graft agency has reportedly written a letter to the Aviation Ministry requesting information on various contracts within the period under review.
It was gathered that, more specifically, the ICPC is demanding information about the Katsina Airstrip project, which is alleged to have gulped billions of naira paid upfront “without anything to show for it.”
According to SaharaReporters, the probe might be against the backdrop of the recent controversy surrounding the ‘Air Nigeria’ project of the aviation ministry, which many saw as a fraud by the immediate administration.
An inside source on Wednesday told SaharaReporters that the request by the anti-graft agency has sent shivers down the spine of many management staff members of the ministry, as the project vehicles attached to the contract and other equipment “have been shared among the top management staff, signifying the height of abuse of public trust.”
The source, however, noted that it wasn’t clear if the ministry had complied with the ICPC on its request.
While some are fearful of possible sanctions as a result of the probe, others within the ministry see it as a welcome development.
Evidently, some stakeholders who spoke based on condition of anonymity described the move by the anti-graft agency to investigate contract awards and other related matters in the ministry as a welcome development.
The critical stakeholder privy to the investigation disclosed that all was not well in the ministry.
The source urged the ICPC to conduct a far-reaching and diligent inquiry into all contracts awarded by the management and sanction anyone found short-changing the system.
