Mr. Ope George, Commissioner for Planning and Budget in Lagos State on Tuesday described as an error the publication on the website of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency attributing the sum of N2,017,840,000 for the provision of items including rechargeable fans, rechargeable lights, and fridges to the deputy governor’s office.
Speaking on Arise TV’s programme ‘The Morning Show’, which was monitored by QUEST TIMES, George said the correct amount was N2m and not N2bn as posted on the procurement agency’s website.
He also denied the claims that the agency altered the figure from N2bn to N2m after the figure was leaked.
He said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was embarrassed by the report has directed that figures should be properly checked before they arrive made public.
“What I can say is that it wasn’t N2bn for any rechargeable fan that doesnt exist. In terms of the figure, it was N2m.Whilst I will say that there was an error in terms of what was put on the website but having said so, one of the things that have come out of that is we know that proper checks and balances have to be put in place”.
“One of the things Mr. Governor has done is to ensure that before things go out they have to be checked and double-checked. So, that was an error. It wasn’t N2bn”.
The Governor and his and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, have come under criticism for approving N7.5 million to replace liquid fragrance in Sanwo-Olu’s office and N2bn to purchase rechargeable fans for the office of Hamzat.
Funso Doherty, governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), in Lagos in letter to the governor said the Lagos State Government was wasting tax payers money on frivolous spendings while many Lagosians are living in pains since the removal of fuel subsidy
