Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos state, has come under fire for approving 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.
The Chief of Staff’s office also received N18.5 million for the supply and distribution of 2,000 Noiler chicks across the state’s local government areas and wards.
The government also authorized N152 million for the restoration of water supplies to Iduganran Palace, Lagos’ official residence.
The state would also spend N581 million to renovate Saint Andrews Anglican Church in the Oke-Popo area of the state, according to records.
The wife of the deputy governor contributed N30 million to the deputy governor’s office for monthly outreach to impoverished individuals. The office also received N30 million for an empowerment program.
Funsho Doherty, the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Lagos for 2023, who expressed concerns about some of the contracts, said he has written an open letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu asking him to evaluate some of the projects.
“I just wrote an open letter to the governor on Public Procurement awards reported by LASG for the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2023, highlighting a number of issues for further scrutiny and remedial action.
“Judicious use of public funds is always important and is especially so now,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Public policy expert, Dr Abimbola Oyarinu, said it is sad that the government is enjoying jumbo packages while asking the people to endure the suffering in the land.
He, however, said Nigerians are living with the consequences of their actions.
“The truth is, I don’t blame the government, I blame the people. The people will always get the leaders they deserve. In spite of the inflation and the fact that an average Nigerian can no longer eat as a human any more, our government has refused to adapt to the reality.
“You can no longer blame the government; the people are culpable. It will be business as usual because people don’t realise the implication of this mismanagement.
“Rather than hold the government accountable for lack of basic amenities, we have chosen to blame the devil because religion and government are in the marriage of defrauding Nigerians.
“The next election will come, these same people will wipe up ethnic and religious sentiments,” he said.
A social crusader, Olufemi Ajayi, said the contracts showed the insensitivity of the government to the plight of the people.
“How can you budget over N7m to buy air fresheners at a time when the people you are leading are struggling to eat?” he queried.
Repeated phone calls and messages to Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho and the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Gboyega Akoshile were unattended as of the time of filing this report.
(Credit: Daily Trust)