Lagos Replies Doherty, Denies Allegations of Wasteful Spending
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Government through the Office of Public Procurement Agency has denied any illegal or wasteful spending in the documents shared by the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 elections, Mr Funsho Doherty.
Recall that in a post via his X account on Saturday, the politician cum accountant queried some contract spending as approved by the state’s procurement agency in the second and third quarters of the year including the supply and distribution of 2,000 boiler chicken across the local government areas and wards in the state and another sum of N440,750,000 was awarded to the office of the chief of staff for the procurement of a brand new Lexus LX 600 Bullet Proof Sport Utility Vehicle for use in the Pool of Office of Chief among others.
In the press statement issued by the Director General of the agency, Mr Fatai Idowu Onofowote, Mr Doherty was accused of misrepresenting the facts in the information contained in the documents he posted.
“Our attention has been drawn to recent concerns regarding certain information posted on the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency’s website. Acknowledging the misunderstanding arising from the lack of clarity, we recognise the unintended misinterpretations of this information.
“The agency is committed to ensuring transparency, accuracy and accountability in all government transactions, as mandated by the Lagos State Public Procurement Law.
“We regret that specific details, particularly concerning the descriptions of government dealings, may have inadvertently led to confusion, impacting both governmental entities and corporate partners providing services to the state. This arose largely from the lack of detailed descriptions in the project information, which has inadvertently led to confusion in the public space.
“We empathise with public concerns and extend our sincere apologies for any distress caused. It is never our intent to cast doubt or cause misunderstandings that might tarnish the reputation of respected individuals and organisations involved in these transactions.
“To address these concerns thoroughly, the agency has taken immediate steps, Line-by-by-line explanations of the contracts in question are attached herewith, aiming to provide absolute clarity and dispel any lingering misconceptions.’’
He added that, “The agency will continue to improve its internal processes and communication methods as our commitment as a government is to offer clearer and more accessible information to the public. It is pivotal to stress that the Agency’s autonomy exists to ensure fairness and transparency, not to cause confusion or discredit any involved parties.
”We, therefore, assure the public of our unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity in all our operations. Looking ahead, we pledge our continued commitment to consistently and accurately report all government transactions in the State.
”Our unwavering commitment remains to elevate the standard of living and enhance the quality of life for the people of Lagos. Rest assured, this commitment will always take precedence.”
