LAGOS: Assembly debunks awarding N17b contract for gate project

THE Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) has debunked the allegation made by Lagos State Anti Corruption Coalition, an anti-corruption coalition that it  awarded a N17billion contract  for the construction of the Assembly’s gate,and described it as unfounded the allegation.

   The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Security and Strategy, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe made the clarification in a statement in Lagos on Thursday. The anti-corruption coalition had recently petitioned the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the House leadership for awarding the gate contract.

   Ogundipe described the  petition as frivolous,saying it was designed to discredit the House for political goals. He said the gate project at the Assembly complex had been executed over three years ago, adding that there was no recent project like that at the House of Assembly.

   He said it was worthwhile to let the group know that though the Assembly had its own procurement unit, it still relied on the state government’s procurement process from start to finish. He added that it is  preposterous to think that in Lagos, contracts are like witchcraft and its nocturnal posting.

   His words: “For a few days now, there have been some attempts to bring to disrepute the exemplary successes of the Assembly and its leadership. Our silence over some of the issues raised by a group which tags itself as the Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, a hitherto unknown body claiming to be fighting corruption, does not amount to consent.

   “However ,because we did not want to glorify what looked like information sourced from a beer parlour or joint with a response, we feel the need to lay the facts bare because of the regard we have for Nigerians and the belief in posterity.

    “The Lagos State House of Assembly is an institution that bases its activities on facts and realistic evidence, not grapevine as put forward by the fictional group. For instance, how will any person or group even imagine that such a humongous amount as N17 billion could be allocated for the construction of ‘a gate’? Just one gate?

    “Even if the gate is made of gold, would it cost such an amount? To the group that decided to rush to the public without thinking through or double-checking what it said it sourced through ‘grapevine’. It is good to know that there was no project like that at the House of Assembly as claimed. The gates at the House had been fixed over three years ago.”

   Ogundipe further said that there was no need by the group and its traducers to try to pad up their stories with old allegations that had been adjudicated upon and trashed by the court. He accused the group of trying to “lump everything together to create a make-belief in the eyes of the public.”

    He reiterated that the Assembly had grown beyond the common standards of excellence, and that residents would continue to work in harmony for the peace, progress and development of the state.