I was given N2million for rechargeable fans and fridges – Lagos Deputy Gov Hamzat opposes N2billion report
He further claimed that his wife received N2.5 million each month for her monthly outreach to indigents and empowerment program, as opposed to the agency's N30 million.
Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, has written to the state Public Procurement Agency, denying that his office received N2 billion to acquire rechargeable fans, lights, and refrigerators.
In a memo to the Director General of the procurement agency, Hamzat stated that the project had been approved for N2 million.
He further claimed that his wife received N2.5 million each month for her monthly outreach to indigents and empowerment program, as opposed to the agency’s N30 million.
SaharaReporters previously reported that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is currently in the crosshairs after state procurement records revealed that he approved N7.5 million to replace liquid fragrance in his office and N3 billion to acquire rechargeable fans for his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat’s office.
Other contracts approved by the state’s Public Procurement Agency (PPA) in the second and third quarters of 2023 include the acquisition of a new Lexus LX 600 Bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicle for usage in the pool of the Office of Chief of Staff for approximately N440 million.
However, Hamzat stated in a memo signed by Director of Finance and Accounts Tola Ekemode on behalf of the Permanent Secretary in the office of the Deputy Governor that the agency’s report was false, deceptive, phony, and unsubstantiated.
“It is important to state that truly, the office did get approval and awarded the provision of supply items (rechargeable fans, rechargeable lights and fridges) for the sum of =N=2,017,840 (Two Million, Seventeen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Naira) as against the =N=2,017,840,000 (Two Billion, Seventeen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira as reported by Doherty in his purported letter
“In addition, the report that the office through the Wife of the Deputy Governor spent =N=30,000,000 monthly for outreach to indigents is inaccurate as the amount stated covered the whole year. It is =N=2,500,000 per month. Same for the Empowerment programme by the Wife of the Deputy Governor which also =N=2,500,000 per month as against =N=30,000,000 monthly reported,” read the memo.
He called on the agency to take immediate action to take prompt action in addressing the issue by giving the general public a true account of what was approved.
“The Office of the Deputy Governor wishes to state in unequivocal terms, for your immediate action and the attention of millions of readers that the report is untrue, mischievous, fake and unfounded.
“We are compelled to write this letter due to the inaccuracies it conveyed; as the story was completely different and not a true reflection of what we have in our records. Also, we would not allow some individual(s) and journalists with mischievous inclination to bring the personality and name of the Deputy Governor, his wife and the office to disrepute,” he said.
(Credit: Sahara Reporters)