Political interference is a major culprit behind Nigeria’s numerous abandoned projects, according to the Institute of Physical Assets and Infrastructure Management (IPAIM).
Dr McCarthy Ijiebor, Pesident of IPAIM, in a statement on Monday in Lagos, expressed worries, expressed deep concern over the nation’s lack of comprehensive data on its numerous uncompleted projects.
Ijiebor noted that projects were often initiated based on political considerations rather than economic or social needs.
“Projects are sometimes initiated or abandoned based on political expediency, such as to win votes or appease certain constituencies.
“They may also be abandoned or stalled due to party politics, with opposition parties opposing projects initiated by rival parties,” he explained.
He called for the strengthening of institutions responsible for project implementation to ensure projects are completed.
Ijiebor emphasised that these institutions should be independent, effective, and held accountable at every stage of the project process.
The IPAIM president lamented that due to the weakness of these institutions, political leaders were rarely held accountable for abandoned projects.
He stressed the importance of transparency in project initiation, funding and implementation.
Ijiebor also called for collaboration and continuity across governments and political parties to ensure that projects were not only completed but also served their intended duration.
“Projects abandonment is ubiquitous everywhere; some are started with fanfare and then abandoned midway.
“Some are initiated for political reasons, and when you assess their usability, you often find they do not make sense,” he said.
He underscored the importance of focusing on the viability of projects, their asset value, and their contribution to the public, highlighting the need for thorough needs assessments