Panel discovers irregularities in contracts awarded by Oni

The Contract/Consultancy Review Committee set up by the Ekiti State Government said it has discovered  irregularities in the award of contracts by the deposed Segun Oni-led administration.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Eben Alade, spoke while submitting the panel’s report to Governor Kayode Fayemi. 

He said some ex-political appointees colluded with civil servants to create unjustifiable expenses for the state.

The committee said the report would guide the government in taking decisions.

Alade said: “We were able to point out how the political leadership collaborated with some career officers to commit the state government to avoidable expenditures.

“It is unfortunate that some people (political and career officers) can commit the government to engage in road projects in Ondo, Osun, Kogi and Kwara states.

“It is strange for a government to terminate a a contract over non-performance, award it to a new firm and later  re-award it to the original company at a higher rate.

“The same contractor demanded that his payment be deposited in an ‘escrow account’ to ensure unhindered payment.  This was approved and implemented by the last administration.”

Fayemi promised to study its recommendations and produce a White Paper to restore sanity in contract administration.

The governor said: “We will be guided by your recommendations to retrieve our money, revoke some contracts that have proved to be unmitigated disasters.

“I want to assure you that we shall study this report and not allow it to gather dust or cobwebs  somewhere because government is about the people and not self-aggrandisement.”