Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has set up an eight-man panel for the implementation of the report and White Paper of the committee set up to review contracts awarded during the administration of his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Thursday, the action was in pursuance of his commitment to transparency and accountability.
Recall that Adeleke had after assuming office in November 2022, set up the contract review committee through an Executive Order.
In the statement, the panel was charged with enforcing the recommendations of the review committee and the subsequent White Paper approved by the State Executive Council.
It added that the panel is to prosecute those found culpable in the alleged corrupt contracts in relevant courts of law and agencies.
Members of the committee include Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Information; Wole Jimi Bada, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Dosu Babatunde, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters; Jola Akintola, Commissioner for Health; Bashiru Bello, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and Bello Sheriff, Senior Special Assistant on Bureau of Social Services.
The statement revealed that, “Terms of reference of the panel include enforcing the recommendations in the committee report and White Paper, ensuring prosecution of culprits through relevant agencies and implementing all institutional recommendations to prevent reoccurrence of distortions in contract award and management.
“The committee is expected to commence operations immediately by giving effect to each of the committee recommendations as approved by the State Executive Council.”
Adeleke also reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of state resources, vowing to implement the White Paper.
“We have a duty to secure state assets and resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations. We have a responsibility to enforce accountability as a precaution against leadership recklessness. I urge this committee to pursue all legal means to implement the recommendations of the contract review committee,” the statement quoted Adeleke as saying.
