AMILOADED MEDIA HUB NEWS UPDATE
The Osun Masterminds has again called on the Osun State Government to reveal the cost of each of the boreholes constructed in the state for record and accountability purpose, AMILOADED reports.
The Osun Masterminds while commending the state government for the development however said majority of the boreholes are not functional.
The group said this at a press conference addressed by its Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, in Osogbo, Osun State on Monday.
The group said, “As responsible citizens who are equal stakeholders in the Osun project, you will recall that we reported to you our visit to numerous locations of the boreholes and discovered that, although government has informed the State’s people through several press releases and interviews that the boreholes were now completed and in service, majority of the boreholes are still not functional.
“While the government through her spokesperson accused us of bias, it is worthy of note that the boreholes that they claimed was completed just had a component of the contract, that is supply of power generating sets delivered in the early parts of last month.
You will recall that the government promised to make known the cost of the borehole project at her ipade Imole scheduled for June, this is August and no ipade Imole has held so far where the promise of making public the cost of the bore hole should have been fulfilled. Either or not the government wants to hold ipade imole is their prerogative, we again demand to know the cost of each of the boreholes for record and accountability purpose.
“Aside the boreholes constructed, we want to also advise the Adeleke-led government to ensure that in its drive to implement a local content policy in government procurement, it must not make the mistake of turning government projects to ‘job for the boys’ that will end up badly executed and injurious to the finances of our dear State on the long run.
“We again reiterate that Government must ensure that it does proper needs assessment of intended projects before embarking on them. This is to ensure that the State does not continue to execute projects that are not in tandem with new developmental realities and needs of the societies that make up the State. Projects should not be projects for projects sake, but for needs sake.”
The Osun Masterminds while speaking on the awards of contracts by the Osun State Government said there has been accusation that the projects were executed in favour of some parts of the state as against the other.
It added, “We acknowledge the passion of the present government in delivering needed infrastructure to the people of the state and we commend same. We commend the construction of roads ongoing in different parts of the state and belief that if the drive is sustained, Osun in little time from now will comfortably boast as one of the states with best road networks in the state.
“We are however concerned about the spread of the projects in terms of location and advise the government to review his spread of the projects to reflect concern for all parts of the state.
“There has been rife accusation that the projects are screwed in favor of some parts of the state as against the other and while we can’t in this press conference confirm same since we have not investigated it, we urge the state government to listen to the complaints of the people and review the spread of the projects to favor all and sundry.
“Of particular interest is the process of the award of contracts in the state in recent time. We are not oblivious of the law of the state in terms of procurement and we are worried as a group on the fulfillment of the provision of the law in terms of award of contracts.
“We demand to know the composition of the Procument board in the state. We are worried that the composition of the board does not fulfil the provision of the law in the regards. We are equally worried that contracts awarded are not been advertised as provided for by the law. We can’t for the purpose of political correctness and the need to deliver campaign promises continue to break the law. It won’t be in the best interest of the state.
“Also of concern to us as a group is the quality of the projects been delivered across the state. While some visited do not obviously meet the specified standard, others are been shudilly delivered as the expense of the tax payers money.”
The group urged Governor Adeleke to “put in place a team for quality assurance lest we buy less quality with unavailable funds”.
It also advised the Osun State Government to execute more robust engagements before taking actions, saying this would help to avoid situations where government activity appear like vendetta or end up failing because of poor intentions or poor planning.
“Governor Adeleke must avoid the allure of white elephant projects as he may be getting pushed to dabble into,” it added.
The Osun Masterminds further urged the federal government to consider the payment of outstanding salaries of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as part of measure to provide palliative in the present state of the country as occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.
On the political situation in Niger Republic, the group said, “The federal government needs to be circumspect on whatever decision it takes on the crises in Niger Republic considering the closeness of that country to Nigeria and the effects it would have on us particularly should war be the option.
“No war has ever been won on the battle field but on negotiating table and why then should a war start knowing its resolution will still be dialogue. We challenge the president to explore more windows of dialogue and not result to war.”
The Osun Masterminds also congratulated the immediate past governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, for his nomination, screening and confirmation as a minister by the Senate.
Leave a Reply