The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has reassured the people of the State that his Administration would not inflict unnecessary pain on them in the course of executing projects.
Governor Abiodun, who gave the reassurance while receiving the report from the Committee set up to review projects and contracts awarded between 2009 to 2019, in his Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, also pleaded with those going through some mobility difficulties as a result of ongoing project in their areas.
“I want to assure the people of Ogun State that we will not inflict unnecessary pain on them. We have been careful not to impose pains on our people as regards all the projects we have done so far.
“Let me therefore appreciate our people and also plead with them to be patient with us, particularly those that have to bear some inconveniencies through uncompleted infrastructural works,” the Governor noted.
He said work has commenced on Kuto-Oke Mosan, Panseke-Adigbe, Owode-Ilaro, Ejirin-Ijebu Ode roads, while some other projects left uncompleted by the last administration, have been completed.
Governor Abiodun who disclosed that his Administration has constructed over 90 kilometres of road in the last 15 months, added that the era where the Chief Executive would singlehandedly award contractors had gone, as government must have clear and strategic allocation of resources before embarking on any project.
According to Prince Abiodun, “We must be mindful of how we allocate resources now that resources are scarce and government wants to execute projects that have direct impact on the people.”
On the mandate of the Committee, the Governor said they were to identify all outstanding significant projects in the past 10 years; determine levels of execution and quality of work done; and ascertain whether the process of contract award was in line with due process.
The Committee was also mandated to assess disbursement pattern in line with established process, then recommend any viable pathways for completion of projects as well as framework to ensure continuity between succeeding administrations with a view to entrenching accountability and responsibility in government.
While reiterating the resolve of the present Administration to complete all projects that would bring good governance and impact meaningfully on the lives of the people, the State helmsman thanked members of the Committee for sparing their time and experience for the good of the State.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Engr. Adekunle Mokuolu disclosed that 114 contracts valued at more than N349. 376bn was awarded with total payment of more than N130.735bn, while a total amount for Unpaid Certificate of Value for work done was more than N20.741bn.
Engr Mokuolu further stated that more than N218.380bn was needed to complete the projects, adding that contracts awarded in terms of percentage were 88 for Works and Infrastructure, 1 for Agriculture, 2 for Health, 3 for Education, 1 for Housing, 2 for Commerce and Industry, whlie the balance was taken up by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
