Reconditioned vehicles to save ODSG N5.4b
By Adekola Afolabi
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About 284 unserviceable Toyota Hilux vehicles of the Ondo State Government have been contracted to a local firm to be reconditioned and brought back new.
The idea which is estimated to save the government about N5.4 billion was informed by the desire to prudently manage the state’s scarce resources and as well get optimal value.
This development came to the fore when the chairman of Logical Ideas Limited, the local firm handling the job, Chief Wole Okunnuga handed-over five remolded vehicles out of the 284 grounded to the state Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.
Okunnuga said the refurbishment exercise carried out on the vehicles and others to be delivered in batches involved total overhauling, changing of engines and working systems.
Okunnuga who added that the refurbished vehicles are easy to maintain also stressed that it would impact on the state by reducing wastage.
While pledging a two-year guarantee on the reconditioned vehicles, Okunnuga said the current market price of each of the Hilux Vehicles is about N25million whereas the cost of reconditioning grounded vehicles back to new is N6 million.
In his remarks, Governor Akeredolu, said it was a great day for the state as his administration was creatively thinking outside the box by reducing wastes and cutting cost of governance considerably.
Akeredolu noted that the realities of the current time do not favour purchase of brand new vehicles every year when there were lots of vehicles that can be reconditioned and brought back to new.
He appreciated the Logical Ideas for engaging local artisans in the processes of bringing back the vehicles to new.
“These vehicles were dead and completely grounded before. Most of them had no tyre or engine. But now they have been brought back to life,” the governor stressed.
The governor assured that his administration would continue to work towards making life more enduring for the people despite paucity of funds.
Also, the Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde, commended Governor Akeredolu for his passion at making Ondo State function effectively, disclosing that his office would organise maintenance workshop for government Drivers who would be driving the vehicles.
Abegunde said the workshop was necessary to enable the State Government get adequate value for the money spent on the vehicles.
