…Asked to return N70m bullet proof jeep
…Launches full scale probe of loan disbursement
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has directed the immediate suspension of the project consultant for the Ilesa Water Project, Mrs Tawa Williams over questionable handling of $106 million loan for the project.
This was disclosed in a statement by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed on Wednesday and made available to newsmen.
The statement disclosed that,the Assets Recovery Committee had submitted an interim report which revealed an ongoing large scale pilfering of the procured loans while the project recorded no progress commesurating with reported expenditure.
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In the report,the Committee noted that despite the huge sums of $27.073 million and N10 Billion of the state resources (repayable loans) already spent so far, the Ilesa water project is not yet functional and the good people of Ilesa are yet to access any water.
“According to the interim report of Salami led committee, the Islamic Development Bank agreed to fund the project to the tune of $65 million while the Federal Government provided $41.94 million.
“So far, a total of $27.073 million has been expended from the IDB loan of $65 million, leaving a balance of the sum of $37.926 million. However, from the Federal Government loan of $41.94 million which the Consultant had converted to N12 Billion, the sum of N10 Billion had been purportedly spent on the project, leaving a balance of N2 Billion,” Olawale quoted the report of the Committee
Acting based on the recommendations of the committee,Governor Adeleke ordered full scale probe of the entire project and disbursed loans.
Adeleke alleged that there is no progress on the project despite reported disbursement of N10 billion and another $28million on the project so far.
The statement also disclosed that, the Governor equally approved the suspension of the project coordinator to give room for unhindered review of the loan administration while the Consultant was directed to return to government the N70m bullet proof jeep in her possession.
“Governor Adeleke’s directive was sequel to the interim report of the State’s Assets Recovery Committee chaired by Dr B.T. Salami which made recommendations for immediate action to stop further squandering of loans secured to execute the Water Project,” the statement read
“The State Chief Executive frowned at large scale corruption reflected in the handling of the loans and the project, an action he regretted has denied people of Ilesa and environs of drinkable water.
“My administration will dig into this matter with all seriousness. The huge fund in question are loans to be repaid. We have a sacred duty to ensure accountability and transparency in the handling of the fund and the project,” Governor Adeleke vowed.
