Ogun residents raise alarm over alleged N3.45bn duplicated projects in budget

The residents, under the aegis of the Ogun Good Governance Forum (OGGF), said the alleged duplications involved water and leather training projects earmarked for Ogun West, with little to show on the ground.

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Oluwakemi Ogunbiyi, the group said it had uncovered several irregularities in the budget and had yet to receive explanations from those responsible.

According to OGGF, the project appeared twice under different codes: ERGP20277318, with an allocation of N600 million, and ERGP28239529, with N350 million, under the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.

The two allocations total N950 million, which the group described as a duplication, alleging that residents of the affected communities still lacked access to water.

“The documents are clear. THE FACTS:

“1. WATER PROJECT — N950 MILLION DUPLICATION: ERGP20277318: Refurbishment of Water Works and Laying of New Pipes for Iboro/Joga and Imasayi Communities — N600,000,000.

“ERGP28239529 — Refurbishment of Water Works and Laying of New Pipes for Iboro/Joga and Imasayi Communities — N350,000,000 (Ogun-Osun RBDA).

“Same communities, same projects, different codes. Yet there is no water in Iboro, Joga and Imasayi. There are no pipes on the ground, no taps flowing,” the group said.

OGGF also flagged three training and empowerment projects listed under the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), all earmarked for Ogun West.

The projects were listed as ERGP20276153, for training and empowerment in footwear production, with an allocation of N800 million; ERGP20276154, for training and empowerment in leather goods production, also with N800 million; and ERGP20276155, for training and empowerment of persons with disabilities in footwear and leather production, with N900 million.

The three projects amount to N2.5 billion.

Combining the allocations for the water project and the three leather training initiatives, the group put the total at N3.45 billion, alleging that there was little evidence of implementation.

“This is not the time to remain silent. It is time to wake up, speak up, and demand accountability. It is time for vigilance, for asking the hard questions, and for making responsible leadership a non-negotiable,” the statement added.

OGGF questioned the implementation status of the projects and urged the relevant agencies to provide clarification on their budgetary allocations and execution.

The group also called on residents of Ogun State, particularly those in Ogun West, to demand transparency and accountability in the execution of public projects.

“We must protect our commonwealth from being mismanaged, abused or squandered in our name. The future of Ogun State cannot be left to chance. We must demand leadership that puts the people first, not personal ambition, not political interests.

“This is our state. This is our treasury. This is our future. And we must not look away,” the statement concluded.