The Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI) has raised serious concerns about the ₦900 billion Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), warning that the lack of clear guidelines on how the funds will be implemented could lead to misuse and weak accountability.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Executive Director, Umar Yakubu, PhD, said the Center observed that while ₦900 billion has already been voted and disbursed in tranches between September and November 2025, the program is currently shrouded in opacity.
“At an average of ₦102.1 million per ward, the scale of this intervention is historic, yet the safeguards to prevent misappropriation are non-existent,” the statement noted.
The Center identified four major “Red Flags” that it said require urgent clarification from the Federal Government.
“The Ward Paradox” raises the first concern, as wards are not constitutional tiers of government. The Center asked how the funds will be disbursed and whether they will go to State Governments, Local Government Areas (LGAs), or directly to contractors.
The second issue is the “Implementation Agency.” According to the Center, it remains unclear which Ministry, Department, or Agency is responsible for executing the funds. “Is it the Ministry of Special Duties, the Ministry of Agriculture, or a newly formed committee?” it asked.
On “Project Specificity,” the Center said there is no publicly available “Project Menu.” Without a defined list of eligible projects such as healthcare, water, or education, the funds are at high risk of being used for political purposes instead of real development.
The last concern is “The Audit Trail.” The Center stated that with 8,809 distinct locations, the audit burden is immense. It warned that without a digital, geo-tagged monitoring system, the risk of “ghost projects” is extremely high.
To ensure the ₦900 billion serves the public interest, the Center recommended public disclosure of guidelines by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). It also called for the launch of an open data portal where citizens can track allocations and monitor project status, as well as the involvement of civil society to verify project execution at the ward level.
The Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity is a non-governmental organization that promotes transparency, accountability, and integrity in public finance management.
