The Lagos State Government has finally responded to the widely spread post disclosing budgetary purchases for 440 million SUVs for the Chief Staff office and N7 million fragrance for the governor’s office, among other opulent costs.
According to Nairametrics, the State government claimed the costs are reasonable given the current state of the country’s economy in a press release signed by the Director General of the Lagos State Procurement Agency, Fatai Onafowote.
In a widely shared post on X on Saturday, a Lagos-based politician and chartered accountant, Doherty noted that the Lagos State government had spent N440 million on SUVs for the Chief of Staff’s office, N7 million on diffusers, N2 billion on fans, rechargeable lamps, among others, in its 2023 supplementary budget procurement.
The Lagos State government responded by saying that although these costs may seem excessive to the general public, they are in line with the country’s existing economic reality and do not defy them.
The government made the following statements regarding the purchase of SUVs and the costs associated with diffusers.
“This seems disproportionate and inappropriate given the current situation and the mindset of the populace. Examining the necessity, rationale, and financial benefit of such a vehicle purchase is important. This is in line with the state of the economy right now.
“The diffuser is designed to last for a full year in 2023. It also covers a number of offices and state houses in addition to Mr. Governor’s office.”
The administration also refuted the claim that Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor, will receive N2 billion for lighting and rechargeable fans in her office.
Onafowote responded by stating that the precise amount was N2,017,840.00 overall. Doherty had stated that rechargeable fans and lights cost N2,017,840,000 and were purchased by the government.
The Lagos government asserted that the number was inaccurate. He said, “This isn’t right. This is what is included in the N2,017,840.00 contract and this is what is contained in the Agency’s website as well as the registered letter of Awards.”
