ECONOMIST EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER RIFT BETWEEN ENUGU GOVERNMENT AND SMART SCHOOL CONTRACTOR.

A Development Economist and Public Financial Expert, CHIWUIKE UBA, has expressed concern over the recent allegations by the Enugu  state government, accusing the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, OLASIJIBOMI OGUNDELE of defrauding the state of 5.7 billion naira paid for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across the state.

 Speaking yesterday during the Urban Radio political programme, The parliament, UBA questioned the contract award process under the Enugu Public Procurement Act, stressing that the allegations indicate the Enugu State government may not have exercised due diligence in awarding contracts in line with the provisions of the Enugu State Public Procurement Act, if it exists.

UBA, emphasized that the 50 percent payment made to OGUNDELE was carried out without proper regulations, faulting the state government for lacking an Open Contracting Data Portal, which provides citizens with open access to all the details of government contracts to ensure accountability.

The Senior Special  Assistant to Enugu State Governor on New Media REUBEN ONYISHI, who also featured as a guest, claimed that OGUNDELE abandoned the project after receiving 50 percent payment, despite the Enugu government’s decision to increase the contract sum from 376 million to 523 million naira to cover the rising market costs.

The Enugu State Government, through the  Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC, has petitioned Ogundele over abandoned sites and premeditated intent to defraud the state  of 5.7 billion naira.

However, OGUNDELE denied the fraud allegations, insisting that the delays and setbacks in the project were caused by insecurity and the rising cost of materials.