Understanding Ilesa Water Project Controversies

By Lookman Alore

There are several levels of contractual engagement on the Ilesa water project.


There is a main contractor handling the water treatment plant.


There is an overall project consultant whose tasks cover overall project management.


The biggest job is actually the water treatment plant whose financing is due for closure on December 20th.


The other jobs are mostly at the 95 percent completion stage.


The contractor handling the water treatment plant was however fired by the Oyetola government.


He sued the state government for breach of contract and demanding damages.


So Adeleke's administration inherited the dispute over the water treatment plant.


The new administration checked out what caused the termination of the contract. The Islamic Devt Bank and the Federal Ministries cited false documentation, fake foreign partner and lack of capacity against the contractor.


When the new government checked the entire project, a lot of infractions bordering on corrupt conduct were discovered.


The Consultant was suspended by the new administration and a substitute was approved by the funders in Jeddah.


The contractor issue however remains a sticky point as the Adeleke administration embarked on an out of court settlement.


The negotiation has been very difficult as the contractor was like demanding a pound of flesh.


While the negotiation was ongoing , the state Governor wrote to the ISDB seeking extension of the funding deadline.


Facts on ground are that the replacement of the consultant had no negative impact on the project as the decision helped to save billions of naira of taxpayers' money.


The sticky point is the inherited contractual disputes over the water treatment plant.


The contractor wants the state to pay him over 4 Billion naira in damages under the out-of -court settlement when he should have been prosecuted for infractions that necessitated the termination of the contract in the first place.


The state is prevailing on him to be conscious of the weight of allegations against him and withdraw his case in court. The Contractor's demand for N4 billion is adjudged to be outrageous and fraudulent.


The said contractor handling the water treatment plant is under serious police investigation for fraud and forgery, while the present Administration at the same time is giving him the option of withdrawing the case which he instituted during Oyetola's administration.


This is to enable the State Government to move forward with regards to the project. The issue is still ongoing.

It is however the Adeleke administration that initiated the criminal investigation against the contractor, an area where Oyetola failed and the contractor outsmarted them. Adeleke's Administration refused to fall for the contractor's tricks, rather has been focused on how to get the project to completion

Reports indicate both state and federal authorities are working to get the project life span extended.

By Lookman Alore,
Ijesha Accountability Forum
05/12/2023