The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed that only seven of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas have functional websites where citizens can access information on governance, spending, and service delivery.

ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, disclosed this on Friday, August 22, during a Channels Television programme anchored by former presidential spokesman Laolu Akande. He said the lack of digital transparency cuts across all six geo-political zones.

“Recently, because of the focal decision, we have now initiated a programme we call corruption prevention programme in the local government areas. We are using five thematic areas: One, the issue of open fiscal transparency, open procurements, the issue of corruption control, human resources and citizen engagement,” Aliyu said.

He explained that the commission expected local governments to develop websites to improve transparency but discovered that only seven are functional nationwide.

“What we discovered was that there are only seven local governments with functional websites in Nigeria. That is to say we have a lot of problems because we cannot go all over. That’s why we say, okay, why can’t we have a website? Publish these things, so that people will know what you’re doing, otherwise, it will be difficult for us to know, so that there will be transparency,” he added.

Aliyu also accused some public officials of diverting resources meant for the public into private use. “You will see that a public officer, who is supposed to put a street light for the public to use, will now put it in his house,” he said.

The ICPC chairman further explained that the commission is tracking constituency.