Fayemi's Fresh N1.4bn Ero Dam Contract Is To Fund Election - Fayose Alleges
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose has described the newly awarded N1.4 billion Ero Dam contract as a "conduit pipe through which the All Progressives Congress (APC) is funding Governor Kayode Fayemi's re-election bid."
Speaking through the Director General of the Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO), Chief Dipo Anisulowo, the PDP candidate said it was curious that contracts worth several billions of naira are now being awarded by the Dr Kayode Fayose-led government when election is less than five weeks.
The Ekiti State Government had said last week that it approved a N1.375 billion contract for the Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) of the Ero Dam, Phase 1. The contract was awarded to Messrs Bi-water Nigeria Ltd at the State Executive Council Meeting.
However, Fayose queried the rationale behind awarding a N1.4 billion contract for the maintenance of the same Ero Dam that the government said in January was undergoing major repairs, alleging that; "The N1.4 billion was definitely to fund the June 21 election."
"It is on record that the State Government said in January that major dams in the state like Ureje, Ero, Egbe and Itapaji were undergoing major repairs and would be connected to the various pipes as soon as possible.
"In July 2012, the government said a heavy duty generator worth N200 million was procured and installed at Ero dam as back up for electricity.
"Also in December 2011, the government said part of the N20 billion Bond will be used to rehabilitate the Ero Dam with the main aim of preventing flooding, enhance agricultural development and provision of portable water.
"All the statements quoted above were reported in the media and can still be found on the internet.
"We then wish to ask why the same Ero Dam that the State government claimed had gulped billions of naira since 2011, is going to gulp another N1.4 billion?
"And where are the results of the billions of naira purportedly spent on Ero Dam because Ekiti people are not getting portable to use?
"It is therefore our conviction that this new N1.4 billion Ero Dam contract is a fraud meant to cover-up public funds already spent on Fayemi's re-election bid."
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