
Mr. James Folorunso, the Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Public Procurement, has reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to upholding transparency and due process in the awarding of contracts, maintaining its reputation as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s open contract system.
Speaking at a stakeholder’s meeting organized by the Accountability Lab, a non-governmental organization in Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Folorunso highlighted Ekiti’s established record in transparent procurement and contract allocation, asserting the government’s determination to sustain this standard.
Underlining the government’s focus on delivering high-quality projects across the state, Mr. Folorunso emphasized the administration’s dedication to executing projects that provide value for money, emphasizing the importance of durability and longevity through the use of quality materials.
The Director General reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards substandard workmanship, emphasizing that shoddy jobs would not be accepted, and substandard materials from contractors would not be tolerated to ensure the longevity and maximum utility of projects by the populace.
Addressing concerns about ongoing projects, Mr. Folorunso assured stakeholders that the government had not abandoned any project inherited from previous administrations, emphasizing that work was actively continuing on all ongoing projects across the state.
Mr. Odeh Friday, the Coordinator of the Accountability Lab, described the program as a crucial initiative aimed at ensuring accountability and maximizing results from government spending on projects. He highlighted the organization’s efforts in tracking and assessing 24 government projects across the state, inviting stakeholders from various sectors to provide feedback and assess the status of these projects.
Stakeholders including teachers, media organizations, community representatives, and procurement officers were urged to actively engage with government offices to address project-related concerns rather than resorting to criticism, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving accountability and transparency in governance.