By: Nnanna Otu (Lagos Bureau Chief)
A Lagos-based chartered accountant and politician, Mr. Funso Doherty, in a recent public disclosure, brought to light some significant eye-brow raising allocations in the in the second and third quarters of 2023 budget of the Lagos State Government. In an open letter addressed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Doherty detailed various allocations that he believes require greater scrutiny, drawing attention to a Register of Public Procurement awards by Lagos State Government for the second and third quarters of 2023.
Funso Doherty, who was the governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 Lagos State Gubernatorial elections, revealed that included in the budget are staggering amounts earmarked for items such as a charter of plane, SUVs, diffusers, and extensive infrastructure. Among the notable expenditures highlighted were a total of N440 million for brand-new Lexus LX 600 bulletproof sport utility vehicles under the office of the Chief of Staff, and N7,475,000 for the replacement of liquid fragrance in the Governor’s office. Furthermore, a significant sum of N400,000,000 was allocated for ad-hoc charter of plane expenses (charter of Private Jets) by the state government.
Also, Doherty raised concerns over the allocation of N69.9 billion for the repair and upgrade of a section of the Eti Osa/Lekki Expressway, questioning such a significant investment in a road rehabilitation project. The letter also touched on the ongoing Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) project, highlighting the allocation of N218 billion for the phase 11 of the construction job, urging the government to provide assurances against potential cost overruns, inefficiencies and other factors that could translate the project into a colossal waste of public fund. He expressed concerns over lavish spending and infrastructure investments, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
Some of the items in the scandalous procurement budget revealed by Mr. Funso Doherty include:
- N2 billion For Rechargeable Fans light and Fridge in the Office of the Deputy Governor
- N18 Million For Chickens
- N440 Million For the Office of the Chief Staff for the purchase of Bullet-Proof SUVs
- 4 MILLION For the replacement of Liquid Fragrance in the Governor’s Office
- N30 Million For the Wife of the Deputy Gov. for monthly outreach of indigent citizens.
- Another N30 Million to the Wife of the Deputy Gov. for Monthly Empowerment program.
- N531 Million For the Renovation of St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Oke-Popo, Lagos.
- N400 Million For Charter of Private Jets
- N20 Million For Decoration of venue for political delegates.
- 9 Billion For Repairs and Rehabilitation of Eti-Osa / Lekki Express Way
- N0 Billion For the construction of Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT)
Reacting to the revelations of Mr. Funso Doherty, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said: “ As a government, We’re transparent and responsible”. He however commended Mr. Funso Doherty for his open letter to him on the subject. Continuing, the Governor Sanwo –Olu said that his Government welcomes constructive criticism adding that he does not have issues with Mr. Doherty with respect to his open letter to him. In his own words, the Governor said “We don’t have any problem with the originator of the open letter. In fact, we like it and we want to thank him.” He added, “Our administration is responsible with public funds.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu further stated that Officers in the Procurement Agency came out to the public to say that “mistakes” were made on “minor items”. He added,” I am sure that the Officers in Lagos State, they have all come out to show that indeed you can make mistakes on minor items”. He further stated, “I hear that a particular one in which an item that was meant to be N2 million was written as N2 Billion”. The Governor reiterated his determination to diligently serve the people of Lagos Stated adding that the administration was not going to join issues with people on Social Media.
He concluded by saying “The Website of Lagos State will continue to work. We will continue to put our all our numbers. We will continue to pride ourselves at all times that indeed we can make mistakes, but it is not with any intention for ue to be unmindful of what the public good is.”
