Civic Group Urges EFCC, ICPC To Probe ₦170 Million FCT Rice Relief Project

Civic Group Urges EFCC, ICPC to Probe ₦170 Million FCT Rice Relief Project Civil society watchdog MonITNG has called on Nigeria’s foremost anti‑corruption agencies the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate discrepancies in a ₦170 million rice relief project purportedly executed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, the civic technology platform flagged glaring gaps between the funds reportedly allocated for the project and the actual relief distributed to residents. According to MonITNG, verification by Tracka in January 2025 found that only 150 bags of 10 kg rice sufficient to feed roughly 750 people were distributed, far below the ~17,000 bags that should have been procured and handed out at prevailing market prices for ₦170 million. The watchdog group said its field checks showed the limited distribution was confined to a handful of communities, leaving many expected beneficiaries without any support. MonITNG also raised concern over the branding of the rice bags with the name and image of Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT in the Senate. The group contends that this created the misleading impression that the relief was a personal donation from the lawmaker, despite being financed with taxpayers’ money. In its post, MonITNG warned that such branding could blur the lines between public service and political promotion, particularly when funded by public resources. MonITNG urged the EFCC and ICPC to thoroughly probe both the procurement process and the utilisation of the ₦170 million, noting the need to determine whether funds were appropriately spent and activities properly executed. The group also pressed members of the National Assembly to take action to prevent the misuse of public funds for projects that appear politically motivated or lack transparency.

MonITNG described the situation as part of a worrying trend of “stomach infrastructure,” where short‑term handouts funded by public money supplant investments that deliver sustainable development such as improvements in education, healthcare, and local infrastructure. Critics argue that such projects, while perhaps politically expedient, fall short of addressing long‑standing structural challenges and can diminish public trust if not executed with accountability.