Sanwo-Olu reacts to controversial spending, admits mistake

Sanwo-Olu reacts to controversial spending, admits mistake

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday reacted to the controversy over alleged bogus spending on items by his administration.

He said the state government was not opposed to genuine and constructive criticisms even as he disclosed that some officers in the state had come out to show that there could be mistakes on some items listed in the records released by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (PPA).

Sanwo-Olu spoke when he inaugurated a new operational headquarters of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) in Ikeja.

His administration has come under attack over the spending of the government with the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, refuting online reports that his office got over N2 billion for the supply of rechargeable fans and lights as well as refrigerators.

The governor’s reaction is contained in a statement by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile.

He noted that the controversy was unnecessary, stressing that the state had nothing to hide in its public expenditure.

Sanwo-Olu said, “Over the weekend, we saw on social media how some people can politically turn around all of our attempts to be responsible, transparent, and committed to good governance.

“We don’t have a problem with any individual. We, indeed, acknowledged that this is the way it should be. We appreciate the fact that people can look at us in the face and say you need to do well in this area.

“We don’t have a problem with the originator of the open letter; in short, we like him and we thank him.

“Indeed, if we are seen as a government that is transparent and responsible, we should not be shy of criticism. But, it is only when criticism is malicious and is misrepresenting the truth, that is when there will be a problem.

“Officers in Lagos State have come out to show that there could be mistakes on some lines of items. There was a particular issue where an item was meant to be N2 million but was written as N2 billion. There are many discrepancies that have been corrected by PPA.

“We are not going to join issues with anyone on social media. All we are committed to is continuous service to the people of Lagos.”