The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have been urged to probe the discrepancy in a ₦170 million rice relief project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
A civic technology platform that tracks government projects, MonITNG, made the call on Friday in a post on its official X account, after Tracka’s verification in January 2025 had discovered that only 150 ten-kg bags were distributed, enough for about 750 people despite funds sufficient for roughly 17,000 bags at market rates.
The post also depicted limited distributions in select communities, with the bags of rice prominently branded featuring the portrait of the Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, allegedly misleading recipients into viewing taxpayer-funded aid as her personal donation.
However, findings by the Tracka team have raised serious concerns about how this project was executed and whether it delivered the intended relief to residents,” the post read.
“During field verification, the Tracka team found that by January 2025 only a very small distribution had taken place. Evidence gathered shows that about 150 bags of 10kg rice were distributed in a few selected communities, far below what would reasonably be expected from a project funded with ₦170 million.”
MonITNG argued that many communities across the FCT that should have benefited from an emergency food supply appear not to have received any support.
It said another issue that raises concern is the branding of the rice bags with the name and photographs of Senator Kingibe, which creates the impression that the rice was a personal donation.
In reality, MonITNG said the project was funded with taxpayers’ money, stressing that public resources should never be presented as personal political gifts.
This situation, it lamented, also highlights the growing concern around “stomach infrastructure” projects, where public funds are spent on short-term handouts rather than investments that provide lasting benefits.
“At a time when many schools in Abuja’s satellite communities remain in poor condition and healthcare centres lack basic facilities, such priorities are difficult to justify,” the post added.
“We also call on the ICPC and EFCC to investigate the procurement process and the utilisation of the ₦170 million.”
MonITNG also urged members of the National Assembly to end the misuse of public funds for politically motivated handouts and prioritise projects that deliver real development.
