Osun government sets up committee on White Paper recommendation

An eight-man panel for the implementation of the report and White Paper on the Committee for Review of Contract has been set up by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The committee is to implement the recommendations of the White Paper concerning contracts awarded during the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

According to a statement issued by the governor's spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Thursday, the action was in pursuance of Governor Adeleke's commitment to transparency and accountability.

The new panel the statement said is charged with enforcing the recommendations of the original review committee and the subsequent white paper approved by the State Executive Council.

The statement reads, "Members of the committee include Hon Kolapo Alimi, Esq, Commissioner for Information; Hon Wole Jimi Bada, Esq, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Hon Dosu Babatunde, Esq, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters; Hon Jola Akintola, Esq, Commissioner for Health; Mr Bashiru Bello, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure; Bello Sheriff, Senior Special Assistant on Bureau of Social Services among others.

"Terms of reference of the panel include enforcing the recommendations in the committee report and white paper, ensuring prosecution of culprits through relevant agencies and implementing all institutional recommendations to prevent the reoccurrence of distortions in contract award and management.

"The committee is expected to commence operations immediately by giving effect to each of the committee recommendations as approved by the State Executive Council."

Governor Adeleke also reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability in managing state resources, vowing to implement the white paper on previous contract awards.

“We have a duty to secure state assets and resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations. We have a responsibility to enforce accountability as a precaution against leadership recklessness. I urge this committee to pursue all legal means to implement the recommendations of the contract review committee."

 Governor Adeleke had in 2022 set up the contract review committee after the assumption of office through an executive order. 

The decision followed humongous contract corruption inherited from the previous administration.