Governor Defends Award Of N1.1billion Contracts To Perm Secs, Directors, Says It Was Through ‘Direct Labour’ Process
Olatunbosun reacted in response to SaharaReporters’ report that the government awarded contracts worth N1.189billion to Permanent Secretaries, General Managers and Directors General of the government agencies.
The Ekiti State government has reacted to a report on the award of contracts to permanent secretaries, Director-Generals of agencies despite no provision for such.
In a press statement signed by its information commissioner, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the state government argued that the contracts were issued through “Direct Labour.”
Olatunbosun reacted in response to SaharaReporters’ report that the government awarded contracts worth N1.189billion to Permanent Secretaries, General Managers and Directors General of the government agencies.
The statement read in part; “The Commissioner wondered why the publication downplayed the fact that the procurement process it referred to was conducted under strict guidelines of Direct Labour Procurement Law of the State and involved amounts well below thresholds allowed by the law.”
He also stated that; “Direct Labour Procurement Laws were established to ensure that procurement activities are conducted transparently, efficiently, and within the bounds of fiscal responsibility.”
“The Direct Labour Procurement method is principally designed for projects that require urgent attention, and it is well-regulated to prevent any form of abuse or misallocation of resources. All contracts awarded through this process have been thoroughly vetted, ensuring that they meet the necessary requirements and contribute to the public good without exceeding the legally permissible financial limits”.
“It’s important to understand that the Permanent Secretaries involved in these processes are not beneficiaries of the contracts. Rather, they are the custodians, as Accounting Officers of their respective MDAs, that shoulder the responsibility of ensuring that public procurement adheres to the highest standards of accountability and transparency”.
“Any suggestion that they are personally benefiting from these contracts is not only inaccurate but also undermines the integrity of the civil service”.
The commissioner stated that “the website of the State Bureau of Public Procurement that was misrepresented by the publication to the public clearly stated the specific purpose of the projects, adding that the project involving the Ministry of Transportation comprised the internal electrification and installation of 1MVA,33/0.415kva transformer at the State Cargo Airport.”
It was further claimed that “that of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Industries and Cooperatives was for empowerment of skilled-workers through training and securing Trade Test Certificate for artisan groups in the state and the State Electricity Board were to handle repair of damaged transformer at Falegan as well as install relief transformer at Olaoluwa/Orisun Egbewa communities along Ilawe road in the State capital.”
SaharaReporters earlier noted that Ekiti State procurement law requires open competitive bidding. Restricted bidding guidelines are clearly outlined while no provision allows contracts for high-ranking officials.
The revelations raise questions about the state’s commitment to transparency and accountability in its contracting process.
Section 24 of the law states “that persons who have been involved in the process of preparing for a procurement or part of the proceedings thereof may neither bid for procurement in question or any part thereof, either as main contractor or subcontractor nor may they cooperate in any manners with bidders in the course of preparing their tenders”.
The review shows that at least 10 contracts were given out between July and August 2024, in contravention of this provision.
It was also reported that In total, the 12 contracts tracked cost N1.189 billion.
