The review of contracts awarded by the immediate past government in Oyo State headed by Senator Abiola Ajimobi has been ordered by the state’s governor, Engr Seyi Makinde.
Makinde, on Monday, inaugurated a 10-man committee headed by Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Oyo state chapter, Mr Damola Falade-Fatila to review contracts and projects awarded by the state government between 2017 and 2019.
Conducting the inauguration at governor’s office, Ibadan, on Monday, Makinde said the committee was meant to examine the status of some of the ongoing contracts to ascertain if they were justifiably tied to the socio-economic development of the state.
Noting that some contractors were making claims on ongoing projects, he added that the committee was to examine if the costs of contracts awarded were appropriate and examine if the contractors were capable enough to deliver the contract in terms of quality and scheduled time.
He added that the government was keen on the advice of the committee on whether projects and their award modalities could be adjusted to fit urgent socio-economic needs of the state.
Though he noted pressure from some quarters to terminate contracts because they were awarded by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration, Makinde said he was more concerned about delivering projects that satisfied the yearnings of the people.
While handing a four weeks mandate to the committee for the assignment, Falade-Fatila pointed out that the committee was not set out to witch-hunt or target people based on their political leaning.
“Some of the contractors have been awarded and they are working and making claims on government, we want to be sure that the work done justifies what they are claiming.
“Some of these contracts and projects were awarded to contractors with no capacity for such assignment. We want you to advise us, tell us whether the projects have gone on sufficiently and that we have to support the contractor handling the assignment.
“You can also tell us if work has been done pretty well but they may not be able to complete the remainder of the job or if they are working well and can meet the target in terms of quality and schedule.
“Some of the projects are of very great importance to the state. Some of the projects may be awarded on a need basis but we know the resources we have is quite limited.
“For some of the projects that the contractor hasn’t done much, you may want to switch it to now target our economy.
“I know of a project which was awarded in Iseyin but for someone trying to target the economy, the target from Iseyin-Ikere would be the number one priority for me.
“We are reviewing the appropriation law and we can include some of these adjustments. I want your recommendations, I have had people come to me to say that this project was awarded by APC, but I maintained that I am passionate about the betterment of Oyo state,” Makinde said.
Speaking after his inauguration, Damola Falade-Fatila assured of service with enviable integrity.
Other members of the committee are Mr Seun Adelore, Mr Idowu Oyeleke, Mrs M. O. Adesina, Mr S. O. Ogunjumi, Mr T. O. Oduniyi, Mr F. O. Omokemi, Mr A. T. Popoola, Mr A. A. Olabiyi and Mr O.A. Popoola.
Credit: tribuneonlineng.com
