The Northern Coalition for Accountability and Public Trust (NCAPT) has described recent statements by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) concerning the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) as requiring further clarification and broader financial context.
According to the group, public accountability issues should be addressed through careful review of available records and established institutional processes.
In a statement issued by the Executive Director of NCAPT in Kaduna State, Amb. Abubakar Yusuf Yaro, the coalition said its review of publicly available data indicates that the average annual allocation to the USPF during the period under review was about N7.5 billion.
‘Based on the figures available to us, it is important that all financial components referenced in the allegations are carefully examined and properly contextualised,’ the statement said.
The coalition further noted that a significant portion of the amount referenced reportedly relates to operating surplus deductions handled by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) before transfers are made to the USPF.
‘According to the records reviewed by the coalition, some of the funds referenced may not have been directly received or retained by the USPF,’ it added.
NCAPT also stated that telecommunications infrastructure projects such as rural broadband expansion, ICT centres, base stations and connectivity infrastructure are typically implemented across multiple fiscal years in line with public finance procedures.
The group said records it reviewed indicate that procurement processes connected to the projects referenced followed established approval procedures involving relevant regulatory and procurement bodies.
‘At this juncture, we wish to emphasise the importance of allowing ongoing reviews and oversight processes to run their full course in line with due process and constitutional provisions,’ the coalition stated.
The organisation also referenced previous audit exercises and legislative reviews which, according to the coalition, did not establish wrongdoing in the operations of the USPF during the period mentioned.
‘Audit observations are part of standard accountability mechanisms and are subject to clarification through institutional review processes,’ the statement added.
The coalition urged all stakeholders, including civil society groups, oversight institutions and relevant agencies, to support transparent and balanced reviews of the matter.
‘To the best of our knowledge, the USPF remains an important intervention platform supporting rural connectivity, ICT access and digital inclusion across underserved communities in Nigeria,’ the coalition said.
NCAPT further called on the National Assembly and relevant oversight bodies to independently examine all relevant documents and engage all concerned parties in order to ensure transparency and public confidence in the process.