KEY POINTS
- TrackaNG says contractors received nearly N40 million for two federal projects in Abia State, but no work has started.
- Residents in affected communities are still without a market and a healthcare facility.
- The civic tech group has called on anti-corruption agencies and lawmakers to investigate the payments
Civic technology organisation, TrackaNG, has alleged that two Federal Government-funded projects in Abia State have remained abandoned despite contractors reportedly receiving almost N40 million in mobilisation funds.
The group disclosed this in a report released on Wednesday, stating that investigations conducted in communities in Osisioma Ngwa and Ugwunagbo Local Government Areas revealed no evidence that work had commenced months after the payments were made.
According to TrackaNG, a total of N39.83 million was disbursed to contractors handling the projects, but visits to the locations showed no construction activities or signs of site mobilisation.
The organisation noted that “over N39.8 million was paid, yet no projects are on ground in Abia communities.”
Market Reconstruction Project Yet to Begin
One of the affected projects is the reconstruction of the Ahiankwo Market in Okpoloumuobo Ward 10, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area.
TrackaNG alleged that Bavian Vogue Limited received N12.98 million as mobilisation payment for the project. However, investigators who visited the area reportedly found no contractor presence or evidence that work had begun.
The report also identified the construction of a health centre in Osusu Umuelendu, Ward 4, Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, as another abandoned project.
According to the organisation, Bellevue Investments Limited received N26.85 million for the project.
Data obtained from the government expenditure tracking platform, GovSpend, showed that both payments were made on March 31, 2026.
Despite the release of the funds, TrackaNG said field visits revealed no visible progress on either project.
The civic group lamented that the affected communities have been denied critical infrastructure promised through public funds.
It noted that residents are still without the proposed market infrastructure, civic hall and healthcare facility.
TrackaNG particularly highlighted the plight of Osusu Umuelendu, where more than 2,000 residents reportedly depend on temporary healthcare arrangements because the community lacks a standard health centre.