Ekiti panel to inspect projects executed by Fayemi administration

Witness says 71 contracts terminated
The judicial panel of inquiry probing the use of Ekiti State funds between October 2010 and October 2014 has said it would visit projects executed during the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration.

Its chairman, Justice Silas Oyewole, therefore, urged all parties and their counsels to be part of the projects inspection tour, which he said, will commence at 12 noon today.

Meanwhile, a witness, Adedayo Ajobiewe, yesterday told the panel that a total of 71 contracts were terminated during Fayemi’s tenure.

Ajobiewe, who is the Director of Cabinet Matters and Special Services Department of the Governor’s Office, disclosed that a total of 55 contracts were either varied or reviewed within the period.

The witness, who was led in evidence by the counsel to the panel, Sunday Bamise, tendered 12 exhibits, which were admitted in evidence.

He told the panel that in the period under review, the State Tenders Board approved 1035 briefs, which included 909 contracts, 71 of which were terminated while 55 were varied or reviewed.

He explained that contracts could be terminated for various reasons depending on the circumstances in which they were executed.

“There are reasons for terminating contracts. It may be because the contractor does a shoddy job and a contract can be terminated if a contractor abandons the project. If this happens, representatives of the contractors, Bureau of Public Projects and the Client Ministries will then carry out a joint measurement.

“Our office only approves and when joint measurement is done, legal advice will be sought from the Ministry of Justice. My office plays no role in the variation of contracts. The State Tenders Board approved variations done by Client Ministries,” he said.

Having heard Ajobiewe’s testimonials, Oyewole, disclosed that the panel, as part of their brief, will conduct a fact-finding visit to projects executed during the Fayemi administration.