Outcry as Sanwo-Olu approved N3.75bn for perfume, rechargeable fans

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has faced widespread condemnation for sanctioning N7.5 million to change liquid fragrance in his office and N3 billion to buy rechargeable fans for the office of his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

Also, Nigerians expressed their outrage on social media over other contracts granted by Lagos State’s Public Procurement Agency (PPA) in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2023, which included approval of over N440 million for the acquisition of a new Lexus LX 600 Bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicle for use in the pool of the Office of Chief of Staff.

The office of the Chief of Staff also received N18.5 million for the delivery and distribution of 2,000 Noiler chickens across the local government areas and wards in the state.

According to records shared on Twitter, the government also sanctioned N152 million for the restoration of the water supply at the Iduganran palace, the official residence of the Oba of Lagos.

The document also disclosed that the state will allocate N581 million to refurbish Saint Andrews Anglican Church in the Oke-Popo area of the state.

Similarly, the record indicated that the office of the deputy governor was awarded N30 million for monthly outreach to indigent citizens by the wife of the deputy governor, while another N30 million was earmarked for the empowerment programme.

Responding to the outrageous contracts consuming public funds in the document, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos, Funsho Doherty, said he had penned an open letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu to review some of the projects.

“I just penned an open letter to the governor on public procurement awards reported by LASG for the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2023, highlighting a number of issues for further scrutiny and remedial action.

“Judicious use of public funds is always important and is especially so now,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Netizens challenged some of the contracts in the document, stressing that the government officials are extravagant and indifferent to the plight of common Nigerians.