By Ahmed Ajikobi
In the illegal act of buying and selling of the Federal Government of Nigeria/Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) intervention project contracts by unqualified bidders and non- bidders alike, who were awarded contracts by the board, the publisher of online news,Fresh Insight TV, AbdulRasheed Akogun have said the Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is in the know of the illegal activities.
Akogun made this known on the radio programme titled ‘Oro Ilu’ aired on Sobi FM anchored by Oluwafemi Oparinde that all the letters directed to Prof. Adaramaja, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was copied.
He further that, his medium did not sat down somewhere to cook up the story adding the matter was investigated and backed up with documentary references that were stamped.
“The chairman is carrying out of the function of the Board and as it stands today, we do not have a constituted Board but that’s a story for another day.
“According to the letter addressed to him, received in his office Kwara state indigenous contractors and suppliers informed Adaramaja of their intent to swap contract.
“Adaramaja endorsed the letter, he re-issued a contract letter to a company brought by the Kwara Indigenous Contractors and Suppliers, He re-issued same contract to another company.
“The indigenous contractors have show intent of swapping and have agreed to the 70% to 30% revenue sharing formula according to their agreement we published.”
Akogun explained more that, contract swapping is illegal adding that, there is proof for all he published.
“I have been in this investigation business for 10 years. Anyone that have gone through our report will see that we have evidence to back up our report. If we have 100 evidence, we will upload 30 out of it.
“Second part of our story where investigated and confirmed that the SA New Media to Governor AbdulRahman, used his company and his sister as front to participate in the SUBEB contract and he came out with press statement threatening to take us to court. His sister in question gave us seven days ultimatum nut this is the third week, we are still waiting for court summon.
“Our report is not personal, it is not about Prof. Adaramaja, it is about following the rule of law. The schools affected are the sons and daughters of the poor in the state attend.”
It would be recalled that it was reported that, Kwara state Universal Basic Education Board (KWASUBEB) is an accomplice in the illegal act of buying and selling of the Federal Government of Nigeria/Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) intervention project contracts by unqualified bidders and non-bidders alike, who were awarded contracts by the Board.
This much was confirmed through documents exclusively obtained, which not only confirmed the involvement of Kwara SUBEB authorities, but also confirmed its official endorsement after being notified of contract swapping intent, which was an aftermath of officially endorsed negotiations between buyers and sellers of contracts to trade the contract for certain percentage of the contract sum.
Kwara SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Adaramaja as an accomplice in-turn reissued the contract award letter carrying the company details of the illegal contract buyer, without recourse to the advertised criteria, such as nonparticipation in open bid not shortlisting of the company on the successful bidders list among other eligibility pre-requinites to execute the contract.
Companies that fall under this category are those under the auspices of Kwara State Indigenous Contractors and Suppliers (KICS) in APC, with Alh. Moshood Aigoro as its Chairman and main vocal person.
In the first part of this investigation it was reported that no fewer than fifty four (54) contracts were awarded to unqualified companies through the banner of Kwara State Indigenous Contractors and Suppliers (KICS) in APC.
The Genesis
Starting from the change of guard in the State occasioned by the historic Otoge movement that swept the past administration, thereby ending a four decades firm grip on the Kwara sociopolitical space, Alhaji Moshood Aigoro and some other Indigenous Contractors and Suppliers who had hitherto been sidelined from accessing government contracts due to their perceived none alignment with the past administration swung into action, with the aim of cashing in on the change of guard to also benefit.
It was on that note that they registered their group named Kwara Indigenous Contractors and Suppliers in APC with the Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ilorin, as a Voluntary Organization. The registration certificate dated 29th October, 2019 with reference number MWASO/2809/2019.
Relying on that certificate, a letter of introduction dated 11/11/2019 with reference number KICA-053 was written to the State government and it reads “The above named Association that brings together all Indigenous Contractors and Suppliers irrespective of the State of origin as long as he or she resides in Kwara State, the registration is open to all interested Contractors and Suppliers.
“Sir, we hereby wish to use this medium to register our plights to your timely intervention. Before Dr. Bukola Saraki’s ascendency to power in 2003, his predecessors both military and civilians engaged the patronage (sic) of the Kwara resident contractors and suppliers and with moderate policies to encourage and make them triumph in carrying out their contract activities.
“As a matter of fact, past governments before 2003 strictly adhered to the policy of indigenization, where contracts and supplies were given to contractors residing in Kwara State for execution. However, shortly after the inauguration of the government in 2003, the Kwara Indigenous contractors and suppliers who were once the pride of the State government were discarded. We no longer enjoy patronage of the State government.
“In all, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has thrown his support and promise to patronize the indigenous contractors and suppliers in Kwara State” it partly reads.
N.25bn Black market auctioning of contract
On 21st April, 2021 the group wrote a letter signed by Alhaji Moshood Aigoro and Abimbola Lukman, the Association’s President and Secretary, respectively. The letter which was addressed to the Kwara State Governor, titled “LIST OF KWARA INDIGENOUS CONTRACTORS/SUPPLIERS IN APC WITH TENDER IN SUBEB” listed 64 companies and their project of interests.
