Lagos fearfully removes Fashola"s budget spending from website

The Lagos State Government has removed the list of contracts awarded under the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Governor 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.

NAIJA CENTER NEWS investigation revealed that the address  46, AJANAKU STREET, OPEBI – IKEJA

Admin City: LAGOS provided by the alleged Info Access Plus Limited as its official address is an estate for residential use.

Our correspondent who visited the address found many policemen at the gate while some gate-men were seen walking around.

 

Lagos fearfully removes Fashola"s budget spending from website

2,123 policemen protected Jonathan while robbers raided bank – Fashola

THE Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, on Tuesday said 2, 123 policemen that would have helped to repel the Thursday bank robbery in the state were sent to protect President Goodluck Jonathan when he visited Lagos.

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola

Fashola, who said this at the 2015 Agric Value Chains Empowerment programme, lamented that the President’s visit to the state paralysed the state security apparatus so much that it could not foil the robbery.

He said nearly all the vehicles bought by the state government for the police to be able to respond rapidly to crimes were on the alert for the President.

Fashola said, “The President came to Lagos last Thursday, and while citizens were being robbed, the President was protected by 2,123 security personnel.

“Let me be very clear, the President is entitled to every protection; he is our President, but the question to ask is; when you were being traumatised, where were these 2,123 men, because you are also entitled to be protected? The reason why the President gets all that protection is so that he can protect all of us.”

Fashola said he was also worried by the reports of violence and harassment of innocent citizens on Monday during a protest by members of the Oodua People’s Congress and loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Yesterday (Monday), they also showed the difference between us when the supporters of the PDP and President Jonathan came out. On March 7, just about a week ago, the APC held a solidarity walk in Lagos. Did anybody attack you on that day?

“So, yesterday, they held their own, and instead of canvassing for your votes, they were showing you knives and cutlasses.”

About 3,529 beneficiaries of the empowerment programme, were given farm inputs, including fish feeds, eggs, cattles, and fertilisers, among others.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Gbolahan Lawal, said the programme had resulted in significant reduction in poverty.

“For some beneficiaries, it was a lift of a lifetime.

“During the exercise in 2014, 3,149 households benefited.

“Those who were not fortunate today will have to register for the next exercise,” Lawal said.

2,123 policemen protected Jonathan while robbers raided bank – Fashola