SERAP has sent aN FOI request to @tundefashola urging him to “provide information on names and details of contractors and companies that allegedly collected money for electricity projects but failed to execute any projects, starting from the return of democracy in 1999 to 2018.”
@atiku said: “We collected money from local, state and federal govts, etc. Contractors were were paid hundred percent upfront. Up till now, we are not holding the contractors responsible. People have collected money upfront and have disappeared; and have not even done any work."
The revelation by Alhaji Atiku is entirely consistent with SERAP’s recent report titled: From Darkness to Darkness, which also revealed how over N11 trillion meant to provide regular electricity supply was allegedly squandered by politicians and contractors under successive govts
By publishing the names of the contractors and their registration details, if any, Nigerians will be better able to hold them to account for allegedly absconding with public funds meant for electricity projects, thereby throwing the country into perpetual darkness.
Publishing the names will make it hard for contractors and companies to get away with complicity in grand corruption. If the requested information is not provided within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions
It is important to show that your office and indeed this administration would not shield or allow ingrained wrongdoing by contractors and companies in the power sector to go unpunished.
Unless the names of the contractors and companies are widely published, alleged corrupt contractors and companies executing electricity projects will not be deterred and the victims of corruption that they committed will continue to be denied justice and effective remedies.
Publish the names of all contractors that have been engaged since the return of democracy in 1999 to date, details of specific projects and the amounts that have been paid to the contractors, details on level of implementation of electricity projects and their specific locations
To date no contractors who allegedly collected money for electricity projects not executed or poorly executed have been investigated for corruption let alone prosecuted. Public officials who apparently served as intermediaries for these contractors continue to escape justice.
We are concerned that allegations of corruption involving many contractors and companies in the power sector have continued to impair, obstruct and undermine the ability of successive governments to provide Nigerians with access to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply.
Contractors and companies that allegedly disappeared with public funds meant for electricity projects may also be liable for aiding and abetting the commission of acts of grand corruption.
SERAP also urges you to refer contractors and companies that allegedly collected hundred percent payment upfront to appropriate anticorruption agencies for further investigation, and where there is relevant admissible evidence, for them to face prosecution.
Doing this will show your willingness to end a pattern of corruption in the power sector and to improve access of Nigerians to regular electricity supply. It will also allow citizens to track the level of execution of electricity projects by contractors and reduce impunity.
