Contractors Decry Low Patronage By Oyo State Govt

The Association of Registered Contractors with Oyo state Government, ARC, on Thursday, appealed against the low patronage of their businesses by Oyo State Government, saying the situation became pronounced since the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

ARC is a body of registered independent private consultants in Oyo State.

Members engage in different categories of assignment as specified by the Department of Public Procurement (Due Process), ranging from supplies of office needs and equipments, Building construction and engineering works, services in government establishment etc.

Speaking on behalf of the Association, Mr. Kola Oloyede said despite the fact that members are duly registered with the Bureau of Public Procurement (Due Process) Oyo state, the Oyo State Government has not paid enough attention to their businesses.

He bemoaned government’s penchant for ‘foreign’ consulting services,  saying it was a major challenge members were facing in discharging their duties aright as consultants.

Mr Oloyede said members, who have evidence of payment of tax, business premises registration and Due process registration to the coffers of Oyo state Government, have painstakingly renewed their certificates year in year out.

“In spite of very low patronage from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Oyo State Government, we have always been faithful to our responsibilities, as citizens of the State”, he said.

He therefore appealed to the Oyo State Government to actively engage their services and patronize members.

He said the government should intensify efforts in sensitising MDAs on the need to patronise them.

“We also appeal to the Government to help us raise the minimum approval above the current amount of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) which is barely enough for procurement due to constant skyrocketing of prices of goods and commodities now and in view of the prevailing economic realities”.

“We remain committed to deliver quality services to the Government, in a view to contributing our quota to the development, progress and prosperity of Oyo State Government and to advance the image of this administration”, he said.