On April 6, Dataphyte published a report that revealed that 550 computers, worth N200 million expected to be supplied to the institution were not supplied despite payment of 70% advance to the contractor.
According to the documents, the supply of the computers was meant to be executed within four weeks from the date of the award (April 21st, 2021). Also, contrary to the contract terms that stipulated a 15% advance payment for supply and installation of the computers and against the provisions of the section 35(1) of the Public Procurement Act, the contractor was paid a 70% advance so as to ensure “quick procurement and installation” of the computers.
Despite the payments, ten months after the award of the contract, the contractor had yet to fulfil the terms of the contract.
However, two weeks after Dataphyte’s report, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Clement Adebooye, reached out to Dataphyte to inform that the supplies have been made and computers fit the contract agreements.
While commenting on the development, he noted that the supplies were made on April 18 and the University has certified that all of the computers supplied are top quality and are in good condition.
“We have taken delivery of our 550 customised computers with correct specifications. The PCs were delivered on April 18, 2022. They have been certified to be of high quality by our ICT and Works Dept.” the Vice Chancellor stated.
Commenting on the development, the executive director of Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA, Olanrewaju Suraju, noted that the impact of the report shows the importance of the media beaming its investigative searchlight at the sub-national level.
“It is important that media houses like Dataphyte beam their searchlight more on the happenings at the sub-national level. The impact of this report shows that there is a lot to be done to ensure accountability and transparency at the sub-national level and this calls for investigative journalism that aims for this” he noted.