PAC (STATE) DECRIES ABANDONED PROJECTS IN HEALTH SECTOR, INSPECTS MULTI-BILLION NAIRA ADIYAN WATER PROJECT

The Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, (State), Hon. Moshood Lanre Oshun, representing Mainland Constituency II, has expressed the sadness of the State Assembly over abandoned projects spread across hospitals and health institutions in the state.

Hon. Oshun made the remarks at a meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Health, led by the Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris and Special Adviser to the Governor on Public health, Dr. Onanuga as well as official from Ministry of Justice, Works, and Health Service Commission alongside contractors handling projects for the agency.

It would be recalled that the Public Account Committee (state) recently considered the Y2015 Audit report where issues relating to abandonment of project by some contractors were keenly observed. Hon. Moshood Oshun, at the meeting, expressed the displeasure of the Assembly over the neglect of projects by some contractors having collected substantial amount from government.

He therefore admonished all the contractors handling various projects for government in the state to rededicate themselves and deliver their projects according to specification and time frame, explaining that the Public Account Committee (State) as mandated by the leadership of the Assembly would ensure proper accountability, probity and transparency to bring the ugly trend under permanent check.

In a related development, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts Committee (State), Hon. Moshood Oshun recently led other members of the Committee on inspection of the on-going Adiyan water project.

The visit was in furtherance to unraveling issue emanating from the consideration of the Y2015 Audit report.

According to the Chairman, his Committee was enthusiastic to ascertain the level of work and conformity with the principle of probity and accountability at the water project site to ensure that tax payer’s money is judiciously spent and accounted for.

It would be recalled that Hon. Moshood Oshun had assured Lagosians that his Committee would be very stringent and thorough with observation raised by the office of the Auditor-General in the Y2015 report on MDA’s.

Receiving the Committee at the project site, the Project Manager, Mr. Paolo Campanella explained that the water treatment plant would bring succor to Lagosians in the provision of portable water.

The Chairman, Hon. Moshood Oshun, however, questioned the slow pace of work on the project despite huge amount committed to the project. He frowned at the excuse on the delay in the release of fund put forward by the contractor, but asked whether the levels of work tally with the funds collected by the contractor.

The contractor is expected to appear before the committee for further briefing.