MDGs: Fayose awards N59m contracts to local artisans

The Ekiti State Government has awarded N59 million contracts for the production of 1,250 furniture for primary schools in state under the Millennium Development Goals to local artisans in the state.
Speaking during the contract award in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the Chairman, MDGs Implementation in the state, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, said awarding the contracts to local artisans in the project was a fulfillment of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government’s policy thrust for promotion of local contents.
Anisulowo, who is the Chief of Staff to the Governor, added that Fayose’s action was anchored on his experiences about the expertise of local artisans in Ekiti State, whom the governor believed were better in handling projects than those from Lagos and other states of the federation.
He said the desks and chairs will be distributed to selected public primary schools in Ikole, Ado, Ikere, Ilejemeje, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ise-Orun local government areas to boost education at the lowest rung of the ladder in the state for children to experience better learning, adding that the contract was awarded to Ibijummy Investment Limited and would be prosecuted to uplift the local content policy of the state government.
His words: “Ekiti State is being one of the participants in this programme, had always adhere strictly to due diligent procurement policy of the state and federal governments in the implementation and award process of MDGs projects and programmes.
“I therefore, want you to be rest assured that the procurement arrangements we are working out today between the state government, contractors , furniture and welder associations is being brokered without contravening any procurement law and regulation laid down by MDGs office in Abuja and Ekiti State.”
Anisulowo said the MDGs projects in Ekiti State is guided by the principles of transparency, probity and accountability, saying Fayose’s government has nothing to hide and would continue to keep the flag flying.
The President, Artisans Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State chapter, Julius Adu, praised Fayose’s government for its local content initiative, noting that the measure would help in promoting Small and Medium Scale enterprises in the state.
Adu said: “The government just gave a sum of N10 million to our members as loan. We are assuring that we won’t betray the confidence reposed in our expertise. We have 26 members and we will ensure that all members benefit under the local content promotion initiative of this government.

“Though the furniture contract will only benefit the furniture makers and welders, we are to distribute whatever we are given across the 16 local government to prevent rancour among us.”