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The Oyo State government has restored the silo project contract that was revoked by the immediate past administration following a legal dispute with the contractor, Rahvet International Limited.
Following disagreements, the administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi had revoked the contract it awarded to Rahvet for the construction of a 10,000 metric tonnes four bin silos in Aawe in Oyo town.
The contractor had dragged the state government to court to seek redress, claiming that the project was at 68% completion stage.
However, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Muyiwa Ojekunle said the current administration in the state met with all stakeholders in the dispute to settle the issue out of court.
He said the company has now been directed to deliver the 10,000 metric tonnes silo project by January 2020.
He noted that the Seyi Makinde-led government met the project at the stage of incompletion and subject of litigation despite the disbursement of over 98% of the total contract sum by the immediate past administration.
His words: “The present administration met the contract at 68% completion and a lawsuit which we immediately entered into and settle amicably out of court. The result is what you are witnessing today.
“We have successfully resolved the issue and the contractor is back to site today as documents relating to the contract have been perfected and he is to complete it to avoid waste of scarce resources.
“The contractor has promised that the completion period is five months and after this, we believe that our farmers will be the one to benefit from the project as the present administration is poised to make farm produce available to the people at cheap price.
“The silo will assist in storing 10,000 metric tonnes of grains and other farm produce while it will help in export of farm produce that hitherto have always suffered destruction due to rot as farmers do not have facilities to store in this capacity.”
The Commissioner charged the contractor to reciprocate the kind gesture of Governor Seyi Makinde, by swinging into action as soon as fund was released to ensure the project is of good quality, completed and delivered within the stipulated time.
The Executive Chairman, Rahvet International Limited, Dr. Mufutau Raheem appreciated the governor for the opportunity given to his company to complete the project. He promised that the project would be completed and delivered within the stipulated time.