The Ekiti State Government has awarded N59m worth of contracts for the making of 1,250 desks and chairs for primary schools in state under the Millennium Development Goals to carpenters and welders.
The Chairman, MDGs Implementation in the state, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, said awarding the contract to local artisans was in fulfilment of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s promise to patronise local contractors.
He said the desks and chairs would be distributed to select public primary schools in Ikole, Ado, Ikere, Ilejemeje, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ise-Orun local government areas to boost basic education in the state and enhance better learning experience.
He said the contract was awarded to Ibijummy Investment Limited and would be prosecuted to uplift the local content policy of the state government.
He said, “Ekiti State 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 the MDGs office in Abuja and Ekiti State.”
The President, Artisans Association of Nigeria, Ekiti chapter, Mr. 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.
“The government just gave a sum of N10m to our members as loan. We are assuring the government 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 governments to prevent rancour among us.”
