The House of Representatives Committees on Public Accounts and Finance will probe how Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) utilized funds appropriated for Information Technology (IT) after Hon. Iboro Ekanem moved a motion drawing attention to the deficit in Nigeria’s IT infrastructure despite the huge sums allocated for its development.

Presenting the motion, Hon. Iboro Ekanem (PDP:Akwa Ibom) stressed that the matter was of urgent concern as the National Information Technology Agency (NITDA) claimed that MDAs spend about $2 billion on Information Technology (IT) projects annually without commensurate results. He also made reference to allegations that proposals to implement IT projects had become the latest medium to steal public funds by corrupt individuals.

Speaking further, the lawmaker stated a recent investigation by NITDA indicated that many IT projects were riddled with poor conceptualization and had no clear sustainability plan. He also accused MDA’s for embarking on IT projects that were duplicated, wasteful and at times a conduit pipe to syphon public funds on the basis of NITDA’s report. He expressed fear that complacency by the House on the matter could encourage MDA’s to continue carrying out corrupt practices through false ICT projects to the detriment of the country.

The House of Representatives Committees on Public Accounts and Finance is expected to present its report back to plenary within four (4) weeks.