The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop processing payments for constituency and zonal intervention projects without a Certificate of Verification and Compliance from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
The directive was contained in a Federal Treasury Circular dated June 29, 2026, issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, and applies to all payment-processing officers across MDAs.
According to the circular, the move is aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency, and proper implementation of constituency and zonal intervention projects nationwide.
The Accountant-General noted that the decision followed observed lapses in compliance with earlier guidelines issued in 2023, which designated the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs as the coordinating body responsible for verifying and certifying such projects before execution and payment.
Under the new directive, no payment request for constituency or zonal intervention projects will be processed or uploaded on government payment platforms without the required certificate of verification and compliance.
The Treasury Office further instructed Accounting Officers, Heads of Finance and Accounts, and Internal Audit units across MDAs to ensure strict adherence to the new rule.
Constituency projects, also known as Zonal Intervention Projects, are federally funded initiatives nominated by lawmakers to address developmental needs in their constituencies but have faced repeated concerns over poor execution, abandoned projects, and weak oversight.
The latest directive is expected to tighten controls and improve transparency in the management of public funds allocated to such projects.
