Lagos Public Procurement Agency Responds to Controversial Spending Reports
The Lagos State Public Procurement Agency has responded to reports of the government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, spending N440.75 million on acquiring a Bullet Proof Sport Utility Vehicle.
Details of the contracts awarded in the second and third quarters of 2023 became public, sparking criticism and concerns, particularly raised by Funso Doherty, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos.
Doherty, through his verified social media handle, highlighted various expenditures, including N2 billion on fans, rechargeable lights, and fridges, N18 million on chickens, and the controversial N440.75 million on a new Lexus LX 600 Bullet Proof Sport Utility Vehicle for the office of the Chief of Staff.
These expenses were met with public backlash, especially in the midst of economic challenges faced by Lagosians.
In response, the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, through its Director General, Mr. Fatai Onafowote, issued a statement apologizing for the lack of clarity and details in the procurement records posted on its website.
Onafowote clarified that the procurement of the N440.75 million bulletproof vehicle aligns with current realities.
The agency acknowledged the concerns and misunderstandings arising from the lack of clarity in the information, expressing regret for any unintended misinterpretations.
It emphasised that the confusion stemmed from the absence of detailed descriptions in the project information, leading to misconceptions in the public domain.
The statement from the Public Procurement Agency aimed to address the inadvertent confusion caused by the information posted on its website.
It sought to rectify the misunderstanding surrounding the government’s dealings and recognized the potential impact on both government entities and corporate partners providing services to the state.
The controversy over government expenditures in Lagos adds to the ongoing debates on budget allocations.
Notably, the N2.176 trillion Supplementary Budget faced scrutiny due to controversial allocations, including N5.09 billion for a Presidential Yacht and N160 billion for lawmakers’ SUVs.
Despite the criticisms, the Supplementary Budget was eventually signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The issues surrounding government spending continue to fuel discussions about transparency, accountability, and responsible financial management in Nigeria’s public sector.
Source: Daily Post
