Features
NGO demands probe into alleged fraud in Edo earth dam project
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
01 Sep 2025 12:20 PM
Owan, Edo State, Nigeria – The Monitoring Nigeria (MonITNG), a prominent civil society organization focused on transparency and accountability, has issued an urgent call to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the repeated funding of the “Construction of Earth Dam and Water Scheme for Otuo and District, Owan East local government area of Edo State.”
Despite being allocated funds annually since 2017, the project remains unimplemented, raising serious concerns about potential fraud and mismanagement of public resources.
According to MonITNG, the project, initially managed by the Ministry of Water Resources through the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority and later transferred to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has been included in every Federal Government budget from 2017 to 2025, with ₦1 billion allocated in the 2025 budget alone.
However, no progress has been made on the ground, leaving Otuo communities without clean drinking water or irrigation systems critical for agricultural productivity.
“For nearly eight years, the people of Otuo have been denied access to safe water and irrigation, while billions of naira are repeatedly budgeted for a project that exists only on paper,” MonITNG posted on X
“This is a clear case of systemic failure that demands immediate investigation. Who is benefiting from these recycled allocations?”
Residents of Otuo and surrounding areas continue to rely on contaminated streams, exposing them to waterborne diseases, while farmers face limited economic opportunities due to the lack of irrigation infrastructure.
MonITNG highlighted that the ICPC’s Constituency Project Monitoring Group had previously flagged issues with the project, yet no action has been taken to address the lack of implementation.
The post further read: “It is unacceptable that citizens remain deprived while billions are earmarked for a non-existent project. ICPC and EFCC must track all allocations from 2017 to 2025 and hold those responsible accountable. Nigerians deserve functional infrastructure, not phantom projects that waste taxpayers’ money.”
The organization’s call for investigation points to broader issues of stalled infrastructure projects in Nigeria.
Similar cases, such as the Warrake-Iyakhare-Egono Road in Owan East, where ₦1.1 billion was paid to a contractor with no progress, and allegations of mismanagement in the Edo State Urban Water Corporation, underscore systemic challenges in project execution and oversight.
MonITNG emphasized the need for the EFCC and ICPC to trace the flow of funds, identify responsible parties, and ensure accountability to break the cycle of “phantom projects.”
The organization also urged stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of such issues, which continue to deprive communities of essential services.
As of September 1, 2025, neither the ICPC nor the EFCC has publicly responded to MonITNG’s call for investigation.
However, the organization remains steadfast in its demand for transparency, justice, and tangible results for the people of Otuo.
“Nigerians deserve better,” the MonITNG added.
“Safe drinking water and irrigation are basic necessities, not luxuries. We will continue to push for accountability until the cycle of failed promises is broken.”
Despite being allocated funds annually since 2017, the project remains unimplemented, raising serious concerns about potential fraud and mismanagement of public resources.
According to MonITNG, the project, initially managed by the Ministry of Water Resources through the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority and later transferred to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has been included in every Federal Government budget from 2017 to 2025, with ₦1 billion allocated in the 2025 budget alone.
However, no progress has been made on the ground, leaving Otuo communities without clean drinking water or irrigation systems critical for agricultural productivity.
“For nearly eight years, the people of Otuo have been denied access to safe water and irrigation, while billions of naira are repeatedly budgeted for a project that exists only on paper,” MonITNG posted on X
“This is a clear case of systemic failure that demands immediate investigation. Who is benefiting from these recycled allocations?”
Residents of Otuo and surrounding areas continue to rely on contaminated streams, exposing them to waterborne diseases, while farmers face limited economic opportunities due to the lack of irrigation infrastructure.
MonITNG highlighted that the ICPC’s Constituency Project Monitoring Group had previously flagged issues with the project, yet no action has been taken to address the lack of implementation.
The post further read: “It is unacceptable that citizens remain deprived while billions are earmarked for a non-existent project. ICPC and EFCC must track all allocations from 2017 to 2025 and hold those responsible accountable. Nigerians deserve functional infrastructure, not phantom projects that waste taxpayers’ money.”
The organization’s call for investigation points to broader issues of stalled infrastructure projects in Nigeria.
Similar cases, such as the Warrake-Iyakhare-Egono Road in Owan East, where ₦1.1 billion was paid to a contractor with no progress, and allegations of mismanagement in the Edo State Urban Water Corporation, underscore systemic challenges in project execution and oversight.
MonITNG emphasized the need for the EFCC and ICPC to trace the flow of funds, identify responsible parties, and ensure accountability to break the cycle of “phantom projects.”
The organization also urged stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of such issues, which continue to deprive communities of essential services.
As of September 1, 2025, neither the ICPC nor the EFCC has publicly responded to MonITNG’s call for investigation.
However, the organization remains steadfast in its demand for transparency, justice, and tangible results for the people of Otuo.
“Nigerians deserve better,” the MonITNG added.
“Safe drinking water and irrigation are basic necessities, not luxuries. We will continue to push for accountability until the cycle of failed promises is broken.”
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