Residents of Osun State have demanded an answer from the state government over the award of a 44-span bridge across Osun River and a dual 2-span bridge across Erinle River to a company owned by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Oyewusi Akinyode Abidemi.
The project which is estimated to be completed in 12 months at a financial cost of N3,937,072,827.00 is being handled by Raregeode Company Ltd. which is owned by the lawmaker representing Ife North State Constituency.
Since the report came out, concerned residents of the state have been questioning the motive behind giving the contract to a serving lawmaker.
There have also been reports that some of the ongoing road constructions in the state are being handled by the family of the governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke.
The residents who spoke with Osun Defender said the current administration has not been transparent enough in its dealings, urging the state government to stop taking the people of Osun for a ride.
Speaking with the medium, a resident of Owode Ede, who simply identified himself as Olawale, said the state government owe it a duty to let its citizens know how it is spending taxpayers’ money.
Olawale who spoke in Yoruba noted that there are lots of qualified companies who can be awarded contracts apart from the one owned by the deputy speaker, adding that most politicians only cared about themselves.
“I find it difficult to believe when I read somewhere that the deputy speaker’s company was among this awarded contract. It is not good for our society.
“I’m not against him getting contracts provided he has done what is necessary but with the look of things, I’m not sure.
“The state government have been keeping things from the residents. The government has not even denied awarding him the contract and why is it taking the government too long to tell Osun People what is happening?
“I also heard the company handling the Oke-fia road construction is owned by the Governor’s family. Is it what they promise Osun people? I hope Adeleke will come out clean and stop taking us for a ride.”
I’ve Resigned From The Company – Deputy Speaker
Meanwhile, the deputy speaker, Abidemi Oyewusi has not denied that his company was awarded the contract by the state government.
Oyewusi however said he has resigned from directorship in the company in line with the provisions of the law and this was duly acknowledged by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Oyewusi in a statement he signed, a copy obtained by Osun Defender on Tuesday, said neither he nor any member of his family maintains control of the company as at the time that it bided a a with the Osun State Government.
Part of the statement read, “May I reiterate to the public, particularly Osun people, that neither I nor any member of my family maintains control of the company as at the time that it bided a contract with the Osun State Government.
“I resigned from Directorship in the company in line with the provisions of the law and this was duly acknowledged by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“The same thing was done by other members of my family on the board of the company. I have here a resignation letter, which was duly acknowledged by the consenting authority, the CAC.
“Beyond this, I had in the past allocated my shares and that of my family to the new management. This can be confirmed by the CAC status report.”
Raregeode Company Limited Got Contract Without Deputy Speaker’s Input – State Government
Corroborating the deputy speaker, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said Raregeode Company Limited, got the contract without the input of the deputy speaker or member of his family.
Alimi in a statement said the company was selected after a thorough bidding process with respect to all procurement laws and due process.
The statement read in part, “On the alleged award of contract for the construction of 4 span bridge across Osun river and dual 2 span bridge to the company of the deputy speaker; Raregeode Company Limited, the Deputy Speaker was not a director of the company as at the time of the bidding process. Records showed he resigned from the company in March 2023 after his electoral victory.
“No family member of the Deputy Speaker or the Deputy Speaker himself was involved in any way in the contractual process. In fact, the Deputy Speaker has resigned from the company since he won his election last year.
“The company was selected after a thorough bidding process with respect to all procurement laws and due process. A thorough check with the CAC will confirm that Mr Ireyode is no longer a director in the company
“We believe the fake news from an otherwise reputable platform in need of enforcement of professionalism is the handiwork of the opposition party who are already jittery and worried by the success of several ongoing infrastructure projects across the state. The multi-billion naira infra projects are being implemented with all seriousness and in compliance with procurement and other extant laws.
“We want to reiterate that no amount of distraction and propaganda can stop the government from delivering these projects in allotted time.
“We assure members of the public that there is no smoking gun or any form of favoritism or corruption in awarding contracts by this administration. There is strict adherence to procurement laws and due process.”
Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.
