Lagos Assembly summons Procurement Agency, others over reports of Sanwo-Olu’s alleged financial recklessness

Members of the Lagos state House of Assembly on Tuesday summoned the leadership of the State’s Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA) over reports of alleged spending of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat.

The lawmakers took the decision during plenary session

It would be recalled that the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Funsho Doherty, last week wrote an open letter to Sanwo-Olu over alleged financial recklessness.

The open letter read,”I have had the opportunity to go through the register of public procurement awards by LASG, its Ministries, Departments and Agencies for the second and third quarters of 2023, as reported by the Public Procurement Agency.

“The attached schedule highlights selected awards which, in my opinion, require greater scrutiny. A commentary outlining some reasons for taking this view is also provided for each of the highlighted awards.

“Consequently, you may consider undertaking a review of same.”

Some of the procurements flagged by Doherty included “Procurement of a brand new Lexus LX 600 Bullet Proof Sport Utility Vehicle for use in the Pool of Chief of Staff at N440.75 million which he said” appears excessive and is out-of-tune with both the prevailing economic circumstances and mood of the people”.

Others include; renovation of Saint Andrews Anglican Church, Oke-Popo, Lagos at N531.6 million, provision of Supply items (Rechargeable fans, rechargeable lights and fridge in the office of the deputy governor at N2.02 billion and purchase of 30 buses for the pool of the office of the Chief of staff amounting to N2.2 billion.

However, the Speaker of the House, Rt (Hon) Mudashiru Obasa noted that the executive arm of government had made efforts to declare the story as untrue, adding that it was necessary for the House to look into the issue so as to establish the facts behind the story.

“So we call on the committee in charge of procurement to invite the agency and others mentioned and do a thorough job on this in order to establish facts concerning the publications,” the Speaker said.