…funds invested on four projects, not shared – DPM
The Ekiti Local Government Chairman, Hon. Wale Awelewa yesterday officially assumed office at the council secretaiat Osi, swinging into immediate action by inspecting the contentious ecological projects in the local government.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State had released an ecological fund of N70 million to each of the 16 local government in the state for ecological projects to avert grassroots ecological challenges, including flooding and erosion.
The gesture has drawn criticism on social media, with some quarters alleging that the ecological funds released to Ekiti Local Government were diverted and shared among stakeholders rather than being used for intended projects.
In lieu of this, the Executive Chairman embarked on a site inspection tour to assess the progress of ongoing projects, determining whether the allocated funds were justified.
The first point of call was the Obbo-Ile – Isapa road where 290 meters drainage,
Asphalt laying with stone base
Project now completed.
Osi Central Market followed and according to the site engineer, the project done is 300 meter length block work both side
Three culverts
Laterite feelings.
Project 80 percent completed.
At Obbo-Aiyegunle the Chairman inspected
200 meter drainage hollow field block work
Concrete base drainage
Two culverts.
Project 80 percent completed
Lastly at Ẹpẹ-Ọpin, Hon. Wale Awelewa inspected the major erosion control with
Reinforce concrete wingwall Reinforce concrete culverts
Earth filings
Project completed
Speaking after the inspections, Hon. Wale Awelewa said he is on site because of what is going on social media that the ecological funds for the local government were shared by some stakeholders.
“Upon assuming office, I inquired about the project status from the DPM, who informed me that projects are underway at four locations: Isapa, Osi, Ẹpẹ-Ọpin, and Obbo-Aiyegunle.”
“Following my tour of the four project sites, I am delighted and impressed with the progress. It’s clear that the funds were utilized judiciously to execute the Governor’s initiatives, contrary to allegations of misappropriation.”
“The funds were strategically invested in areas plagued by flooding, bringing relief to our people. I wholeheartedly endorse these projects, as they’ve made a tangible positive impact on our community.”
Mr. Ayantola Kunle Mukaila, DPM of Ekiti Local Government, sheds light on the ecological funds and the rationale behind selecting specific project locations.”
“Through the Joint Account Committee, N70 million was released to each local government, to combat ecological issues in the local governments, by the time we get to our office, we did management meeting, we decided that the projects cut across the council.
“In the course of our discussion, we decided to put one at Isapa, one at Osi, one at Obbo-Aiyegunle and a small one at Ẹpẹ-Ọpin. We called for bidding and contractors submitted quotations and we gave the jobs to those we think are competent enough to handle them.
“We mobilized them with 60 percents and in the course of the job, the Ministry of Local Government sent inspectors to visit the sites and after their supervision, they okay the jobs the contractors are doing.
“And last Wednesday or Thursday, we just saw something on social media that N70 million Ecological Funds in Ekiti were shared, nobody shared any money, no one was given a kobo, we still have 40 percent in our coffer, and we will release it to them once the projects are completed.
“The idea is to spread the projects across the two districts in the local government and that’s exactly what we have done. So when the Chairman come this morning, he said he need to visit the sites so as to ascertain what’s on ground, that is why we are here today.
“No body shared anything, we are not given mandate to share the money but to do projects and here we are with the projects.
On the involvement of the member representing Ekiti Constituency and Chief Whip of the 10th Assembly, Hon. Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel, the DPM said the lawmaker has nothing to do with the fund.
He only called that we must do a thorough job, warning that he would conduct regular inspections to monitor progress.
“This is council funds, solely managed by the local government, with no legislative involvement. The funds were directly transferred to contractors’ accounts, ensuring transparency. Anyone can request account statements to verify the transactions. I assure you that no individual received any payments.”
According to the DPM, all projects were executed with the remaining balance, having deducted 16.5 percent as Value Added Tax (VAT) from the contract sums
