… suspect irregularities
Success Nwankwo
A group of patriotic Lagosians has demanded that the state government carry out a Forensic audit on recently given N5 billion contract for the dredging and channelization of the Mende to the Lagoon Waterfront.
The organisation made this announcement in a statement that was co-signed by Korede Animashaun, the secretary, and Nurudeen Olawale, the national president.
It stated that a construction company had been given a one-year contract to cover a 7 km long by 40 m broad and 4 m deep area. The project, which would cost N5 billion and span a total area of 7 km by 40 metres wide by 4 metres deep over the course of a year, was described as being for the dredging of Mende through Odo Iya Alaro to Ikorodu Channel heading to Lagos.
The project, which would cost N5 billion and span a total area of 7 km by 40 metres wide by 4 metres deep over the course of a year, was described as being for the dredging of Mende through Odo Iya Alaro to Ikorodu Channel heading to Lagos.
It stated that “As concerned parties, we would not ignore the latest events and claims of irregularities in the awarding of channelization contracts occurring within the state’s Ministry of Water Front.”
“With this notice, we are requesting that the state government carry out a comprehensive and investigative audit into the recent state government contract award for the channelization of the Mende to the Lagoon Waterfront.” It noted.
The group asserted, “Despite the payment of N2.5 billion for mobilisation, no tangible evidence of dredging work has been observed on site, other than the project’s inappropriate dredger that was deposited there and has been stationed there for the past six months.”
It claimed the contractors had finished the task and demanded the remaining payment.
Before beginning the aforementioned work, the group claims to have taken the required measurements of the water depth using an eco sander. “And if they claim they have done a thorough and credible job, we would not hesitate to take the same measurement and publish our findings for the entire world to see,” the group said.
It stated that, “considering his unblemished records,” the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would not want to be involved in accusations of corruption “in connection with violations of procurement procedures.” The organisation claimed, “therefore, our reasons for calling his attention to these allegations and anomalies.”
If necessary, the organisation pledged to work with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
In Response, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho said, “I didn’t even know that such a thing existed,”. Unless you believe that I am aware of every contract issued in Lagos and every contractor, and that I visit every site daily to ascertain which contractor is there and which is not, then I would need to find out. It is therefore not something you can obtain right now.
The secretary general of the Dredgers Association of Nigeria Richard Ntan, also noted, “They are not our members. I therefore cannot speak for them. Typically, we speak on behalf of any of the members who have enrolled. We won’t communicate if someone is working and they are not one of our members and something goes wrong. They would be listed in our register and I could speak with them if they were now one of our members.”