The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said the setting up of the Public Procurement Law reform was an indication that his government was not afraid of probe.
Fayemi said his administration is ready for probe over any of its action and programmes.
He boasted due process was being followed in the execution of his projects.
Fayemi said his administration has been complying with fiscal regulation via all-inclusive budgeting that will drive socio- economic policies for genuine and radical development.
He spoke in Ado Ekiti at the weekend during a three-day Public Procurement workshop with the theme: “Promoting transparency and accountability in public education expenditure through open contracting” by Public Private Development Centre in partnership with MacArthur Foundation.
Fayemi, represented by the Commissioner for Budget, Femi Ajayi, said the need to ensure accountability and transparency in governance propelled his government to reform the Public Procurement Law for all transactions to be exhibited on Ekiti website, for thorough assessment and financial scrutiny.
He said all contacts being awarded by government are now being displayed on the state’s website, for the public to assess and scrutinise to embrace open contracting culture and allow the citizens to take ownership of government.
“We knew that for government to have a policy that will be workable and transform the economic landscape based on peculiarities, everybody must be involved.
“Before the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 budgets were prepared, we held town hall meetings across the three Senatorial districts where every section of the public was represented.
“This is where people made their demands based on peculiarities. This is where they tell us if it were roads, schools, hospitals, town halls and others that they needed.
“Ekiti doesn’t joke with budget process. No government jokes with budgeting and transform the economy, that was why Governor Fayemi signed to OGP.
“We are not afraid of probe and financial scrutiny, because we have nothing to hide”.
Fayemi added the Ekiti State BPP has been reformed with enactment of new BPP Law, which stipulated that all projects and amounts they were awarded be put on website for public scrutiny
“Our quarterly budget performances and others are now on our website. Every contract being awarded is put there. Everything is open. BPP is still undergoing reform, we are driving towards e-procurement.
“The process of approval would go to the tenders board if it goes beyond the threshold the governor can approve, just for accountability and openness.”
