- Ademola Adeleke instructed state agencies, parastatals and tertiary institutions to carefully review agreements to avoid disputes
- He directed the Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa, to stop processing a PPP deal deemed unfair and contrary to state interests
- Adeleke emphasised vigilance following the controversial payroll audit and pledged that public-private partnerships align with Osun State’s best interests
Ademola Adeleke, Governor of Osun State, has directed all state agencies, parastatals, and tertiary institutions to exercise caution when entering legal agreements or proposals on behalf of the government.
The governor’s warning comes amid concerns over potential disputes arising from Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, according to a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Specifically, Adeleke instructed the board and management of Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa to immediately halt processing of a PPP deal concerning the college’s land. The move follows a review of the proposed agreement, which the government deemed unfair and contrary to the best interests of both the institution and the state.
“The governor’s action was predicated on a review of the proposed agreement between the college and the private sector partner which was considered unfair and against the best interest of the college and the state,” the statement said. “The board and management have been directed to discontinue the proposed PPP deal, while the government looks inward to address the accommodation needs of the college.”
The directive comes against the backdrop of a separate controversy involving the state’s payroll audit by the firm Sally Tibbot. The company had claimed to uncover 15,000 ghost workers and urged the state to implement its report. However, the government dismissed the allegation, accusing the audit firm of inflating the numbers to secure a larger commission.
Referencing this incident, Adeleke emphasised that state institutions must be vigilant when entering agreements that could expose them to legal or financial disputes. “After the recent Sally Tibbot incident, Governor Adeleke has further instructed agencies, parastatals and tertiary institutions to beware of legal agreements and proposals that are injurious to their institutions and the state at large,” the statement added.
The governor’s cautionary measures signal a broader commitment to safeguarding state resources and ensuring that public-private partnerships align with the interests of Osun State and its citizens.