The Ekiti State government has awarded N59 million contracts for the production of 1,250 furniture for primary schools in the South-West state under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) project to local artisans.
Speaking during the contract award in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the Chairman, MDGs Implementation in the state, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, said awarding the contracts to local artisans in the project was a fulfillment of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government’s policy thrust for promotion of local contents.
Anisulowo, who is the Chief of Staff to the Governor added that
Fayose’s action was anchored on his experiences about the expertise
of local artisans in Ekiti, whom the governor believed were better in
handling projects than those from Lagos and other states of the
federation.
He said the desks and chairs will be distributed to selected public
primary schools in Ikole, Ado , Ikere, Ilejemeje, Irepodun/Ifelodun
and Ise-Orun local government areas to boost education at the lowest
rung of the ladder in the state for children to experience better
learning, adding that the contract was awarded to Ibijummy Investment Limited and
would be prosecuted to uplift the local content policy of the state
government.
His words : “Ekiti State is being one of the participants in this
programme, had always adhere strictly to due diligent procurement
policy of the state and federal governments in the implementation and award process of MDGs projects and programmes.
“I therefore, want you to be rest assured that the procurement
arrangements we are working out today between the state government ,
contractors , furniture and welder associations is being brokered
without contravening any procurement law and regulation laid down by
MDGs office in Abuja and Ekiti State”.
Anisulowo said the MDGs projects in Ekiti State is guided by the
principles of transparency , probity and accountability , saying
Fayose’s government has nothing to hide and would continue to keep the
flag flying .
The President, Artisans Association of Nigeria , Ekiti chapter, Mr
Julius Adu , praised Fayose’s government for its local content
initiative, noting that the measure would help in promoting Small and
Medium Scale enterprises in the state.
“The government just gave us a sum of N10 million to our members as
loan. We are assuring that we won’t betray the confidence reposed in
our expertise. We have 26 members and we will ensure that all members
benefit under the local content promotion initiative of this
government.
“Though, the furniture contract will only benefit the furniture makers and welders and we are to distribute whatever we are given across the 16 local government to prevent rancour among us”, Adu promised.
