#News

Chocolate factory: Akinyelure’s allegations untrue – Akeredolu

By Tola Gbadamosi

|

The Ondo  State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has described as untrue the allegation leveled against him by the lawmaker representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Akinyelure that his government wanted to sell Chocolate Factory at Idanre, Ondo State for less than N100 million.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Pastor Akin Olotu, he told newsmen that Senator Akinyelure would face the judgment of God for lying against him over the alleged sale of the chocolate factory.

Akinyelure had early in the week told the newsmen in Abuja that, “I want to urge the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Bamidele Oleyelogun to use his legislative power to stop the Ondo State Government and or his SSA on Agriculture, Pastor Akin Olotu from selling the Industry. If at all the State Government wants to sell the industry, due process and procedure must be followed.”

Addressing newsmen in Akure, Akin Olotu, said Senator Ayo Akinyelure’s serial and baseless allegations are unbecoming of a Senator.

He said, “It is clear that his imminent loss of political relevance is inducing these mischievous outbursts. In any case, there are facts on the Chocolate Factory.”

The Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s Aide said “The factory was an uncompleted project inherited from the immediate past administration. It was completed by this administration using the same consultant we inherited.

“The contract the State (government) had with the consultant gave him “right of first refusal” in the privatization and running of the factory. This administration complied with that provision by entering into agreement with him. He was to roll out chocolate from the factory on April 2nd, 2020, unfortunately he couldn’t return to the country because of COVID-19 outbreak.

Related News  ‘Ondo to plant 80,000 trees’

“When the pandemic subsided, we continued to discuss with him on the need for him to return. However, he put up another proposal with a humonguous financial implication, demanding for another set of equipment including bringing in of many other workers from the United States.”

Olotu added that “the position of the State government was that he should begin operation with what is on ground as the procurement and setting up were 100 done by him,  when he insisted, he was told to source for the fund using his company being a shareholder because the factory was 100 per cent  funded by the State Government but Akinyelure declined.

“Some Nigerians were put together to run the factory, they did exceedingly well technically, but were not having the needed fund to take it over. The leader on ground (Mr Robo Aduze) in the factory died last year and the State Government decided to advertise the factory for outright sales or partnership, in national and state newspapers, calling for tenders as statutorily required. This was done by the investrment Agency of the State (ONDIPA).

“The State Asset Disposing Committee was constituted as statutorily required by the Public Procurement Law of the State with representatives of the following Ministries and Agencies: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Lands, Infrastructure and Works, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Cocoa Revolution Agency, Bureau of Public Procurement, Ondo State Development Investment Promotion Agency”.

Olotu further stated that he was invited by ONDIPA by virtue of his position as SSA on Agric and Agribusiness, adding that his interest is to see the place running profitably, and for job opportunities for Ondo State young ones.

Related News  TB treatment in govt hospitals free — ODSG

He said all the meetings and processes were co-ordinated by ONDIPA  and not him (Olotu).

He noted that the advertisement was equally placed in the website of Ondo State Bureau of Public Procurement as the official website of the State Government. “This will enable people in the diaspora with interest to equally apply.”

He further opined that evaluation assessment was carried out by the appropriate ministry (Ministry of Lands, Infrastructure and Works) to determine the value, while ONDIPA collated the report to be forwarded to Bureau of Public Procurement

“At this junction, it is crucial for me to mention that N10OM or even N200M was never in consideration as none of the tender was below N300M”, Olotu said.

Share
Chocolate factory: Akinyelure’s allegations untrue – Akeredolu

NPFL: Sunshine Stars stroll past Abia Warriors

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *