Former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN
The Lagos State Government has removed
the list of contracts awarded under the administration of former
Governor Babatunde Fashola.
The list which was published on the website of the state’s Public Procurement Agency, www.lagosppa.gov.ng, stated that Fashola’s administration spent N78.3m on his personal website, www.tundefashola.com, in 2014.
The list further stated that Fashola spent N139m on the drilling of two boreholes at the Lagos House, Ikeja.
However, checks by our correspondent on
Monday showed that the section which lists all the contracts awarded
under Fashola’s administration between 2013 and 2014 could no longer be
accessed.
The website of the PPA was inaugurated by Fashola on July 15, 2013.
According to Fashola, the website is
aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, accountability and value
for money in the area of public procurement and asset disposal through
the enactment of the Public Procurement Law, 2011, and the establishment
of the requisite agency.
He had stated during the inauguration of
the website that the details of contracts awarded by the government
would be published periodically on the website.
Reacting to the development, the
Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders said secrecy was one of the trademarks
of the state government.
CACOL’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo
Adeniran, said that was why the state government failed to implement the
Freedom of Information Act.
He said, “The development gives credence
to the belief that the state government’s activities are shrouded in
secrecy. They believe that the government is a cult and only the
initiates should have information.
“It is for this reason that the Freedom
of Information Act has been frustrated by state governments, especially
Lagos. Such websites are only accessible when the state government’s
have some interests to serve.”
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode, Mr. Habib Aruna, said he was not aware that the
details of the executed contracts under Fashola had been removed from
the website.
He, however, promised to investigate the matter.
Calls made to Fashola’s spokesperson,
Hakeem Bello, rang out. He had also yet to respond to a text message
sent to his telephone.
Culled: PUNCH
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