On Friday, August 30, Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, addressed claims that the state government had awarded contracts worth N1.89 billion to permanent secretaries.
Olatunbosun clarified that the contracts in question were not awarded directly to the permanent secretaries but rather to the ministries, departments, and agencies they oversee. He stated, “The publication suggesting that government awarded contracts worth N1.89 billion to permanent secretaries, general managers, and directors general of government agencies is very misleading and deceitful.”
He explained that the contracts were part of the Direct Labour Procurement Law, a process meant for urgent projects. This method ensures transparency and prevents abuse. Olatunbosun added, “The Direct Labour Procurement method is principally designed for projects that require urgent attention and is well-regulated to prevent any form of abuse or misallocation of resources.”
He emphasized that the permanent secretaries are not beneficiaries of these contracts. Instead, they act as accounting officers, responsible for maintaining high standards of accountability and transparency in public procurement. Olatunbosun noted, “Any suggestion that they are personally benefiting from these contracts is not only inaccurate but also undermines the integrity of the civil service.”
The commissioner also pointed out that the State Bureau of Public Procurement’s website provides details about the specific purposes of the projects.
