Government projects such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, conference centres, among others, are funded with taxpayers money and/or public funds in Nigeria as in other climes.
By implication, such funds used in the execution of government or public projects must have to pass through appropriation in the legislature – parliament, national assembly, state assembly, or congress – as the case may be.
This therefore suggests that since government projects are a matter of public concern, there is no reason those in the executive arm of government should not disclose or make public, the costs of such projects.
It is therefore shocking that some officials at various levels of governments in Nigeria will tend to react angrily or parry questions bothering on the actual costs of projects executed or being executed by various administrations.
This is moreso, as the process of awarding contracts at any level of government is not only well specified, but is also expected to comply with the Due Process requirements.
Nigeria Newspoint does not see any sense in non disclosure or withholding of information on the costs of public projects.
Not even in the Dark Ages would such action stand. Only a government that is averse to transparency would want to hide information on costs of projects.
We also urge the state and national assemblies to be more proactive in oversights of public projects, and ensure that the masses that gave them the mandate are properly informed about government projects especially, as they affect contracts’ sum.
This process makes for transparency which tames corruption.
