I got N2m, not N2bn for rechargeable fans – Lagos dep. governor Hamzat

Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor of Lagos State, has clarified that he received N2million and not N2billion for purchase of rechargeable fans. His claim contradicts that of the Public Procurement Agency, which stated that the government budgeted N2billion for the purpose. Citizens and critics are outraged at the profligacy of the government amid economic challenges in the country.

But, in a statement released by his office, Hamzat said: “It is important to state that truly, the office did get approval and awarded the provision of supply items (rechargeable fans, rechargeable lights and fridges) for the sum of =N=2,017,840 (Two Million, Seventeen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Naira) as against the =N=2,017,840,000 (Two Billion, Seventeen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira as reported by Doherty in his purported letter

“In addition, the report that the office through the Wife of the Deputy Governor spent =N=30,000,000 monthly for outreach to indigents is inaccurate as the amount stated covered the whole year. It is =N=2,500,000 per month. Same for the Empowerment programme by the Wife of the Deputy Governor which also =N=2,500,000 per month as against =N=30,000,000 monthly reported,” read the memo.

He urged the procurement agency to immediately correct the false claim, in order to give the public a true picture of what was actually approved for the purchase of the items.