FG records progress on zonal projects, warns MDAs on compliance
The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has recorded measurable progress in the implementation of zonal intervention and constituency projects across the country, while issuing a firm warning to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply strictly with project verification guidelines or face sanctions. Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo, […]
The Federal Government on Tuesday said it has recorded measurable progress in the implementation of zonal intervention and constituency projects across the country, while issuing a firm warning to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply strictly with project verification guidelines or face sanctions.
Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo, disclosed this at the presentation of the Annual Status Report and launch of a compendium documenting projects executed under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Jisalo said the report and compendium were designed to strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence in government interventions, noting that investments have been channelled into critical sectors including infrastructure, education, healthcare, water supply, security, and youth empowerment.
“This event provides a platform for accountability and transparency, and to reflect on the implementation of constituency and intervention projects across the country. The ministry remains committed to monitoring, verification, certification and coordination of federal government intervention projects nationwide,” he said.
He described the compendium as a “major milestone” in documenting and verifying projects, adding that it underscores the administration’s commitment to data-driven governance.
The Minister also commended stakeholders, including the National Assembly, development partners and the media, for their support, while highlighting what he called the administration’s strides in infrastructure and economic reforms.
Providing a detailed breakdown of performance, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry said project verification improved significantly between 2023 and 2024, rising from 28.88 per cent to 43.13 per cent, attributing the increase to reforms and the deployment of a digital tracking system.
According to the Permanent Secretary, a total of about 772 projects and programmes have so far been verified and mandated nationwide, cutting across all geopolitical zones.
He explained that under the 2023 appropriation, about ₦100 billion worth of projects were captured, with 1,347 planned projects, of which 389 were verified. In 2024, also valued at ₦100 billion, 483 out of 1,120 projects were verified.
“Implementation and verification activities for 2025 are ongoing, with indications that performance will surpass 2024 figures,” he added.
However, the government expressed concern over persistent non-compliance by some MDAs, particularly in failing to subject projects to mandatory verification before payment.
Citing a 2023 circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Permanent Secretary stressed that all implementing agencies must collaborate with the ministry for verification and certification before contractor payments are made.
“This aspect of our mandate has been flouted severally,” he said. “Ignorance of the law is no excuse. MDAs must comply.”
He warned that failure to adhere to the directive could attract administrative sanctions, including exclusion from future project implementation and referral to anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies such as the EFCC and DSS.
The ministry identified key challenges affecting project delivery to include delayed implementation, weak inter-agency collaboration, inadequate logistics, and funding delays.
To address these issues, it recommended stricter enforcement of compliance rules, improved logistics for monitoring teams, and stronger collaboration among MDAs.
The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the deployment of a Geographic Information System-based Project Management Information System (GIS-PMIS), which he said has enhanced real-time tracking, verification, and reporting of projects nationwide.
Looking ahead, the ministry announced plans for major national programmes in 2026, including a conference of all 774 local government chairmen, a national honourees conference, and community-based town hall engagements aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and citizen participation.
He said the initiatives are part of broader efforts to deepen the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda and ensure that government interventions translate into tangible benefits for communities across the country.
Also speaking at the event, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, called for greater transparency and accountability in public service delivery.
“I am delighted to join you today at the formal launch and unveiling of this compendium,” she said, noting that the initiative reflects a shared commitment to “ensuring that public resources are deployed in ways that directly improve the lives of our citizens at the grassroots.”
She emphasised that constituency and intervention projects remain critical tools for bridging the gap between government and the people, making development “visible, accessible, and responsive” to community needs.
She also commended the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs for introducing a digital application to monitor and evaluate projects in real time, describing it as an innovative step toward improved service delivery.
“I call on all stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of transparency and accountability… in order to achieve meaningful impact on the lives of our people,” she said.
The event formed part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to deepen accountability in the implementation of zonal intervention and constituency projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.