The Ilesa Water Project’s project consultant, Tawa Williams, claimed on Thursday that the Osun State House of Assembly demanded a $5 million bribe.
William, who was suspended by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday, revealed that Nasiru Olateju, the head of the House Committee on Water Resources, had demanded the money on behalf of the Osun Assembly.
On Wednesday, the State governor dismissed Williams and the project supervisor for the $106 million Ilesa Water Project based on the recommendation of the Asset Recovery Committee, which is chaired by Bashiru Tokunbo Salam.
The Committee sought the immediate return of the abovementioned vehicle after learning that Williams was a consultant who was also allegedly in possession of a N70 million bulletproof car.
After taking office on November 27, 2022, the Ademola Adeleke administration immediately established the Asset Review Committee.
Williams revealed this when answering inquiries on a local private television station in Osun, saying that the politicians had invited her and her team following a planned site visit where the payment was demanded.
In denying the Asset Review Committee’s claim that she was driving a project car costing N75 million, she disclosed that the vehicle only cost N45 million.
“The House is asking for five million dollars,” she reportedly said, “and I said I don’t have five million dollars to give to anybody.” For themselves, they made the request. They are requesting a larger grant and threatening to inform the media that the job we have completed is of poor quality.
“I informed them that you visited the place a year ago. You gave us praise. You’re going to tell the media again that we didn’t perform well, but why?
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“Yes. They made a bribe demand. I say this with a strong sense of accountability. It didn’t reach the entire House. We were summoned to the meeting by the chairman of the House Committee on Water Supply and other committee members. They claimed that we had not given them any money, and I responded by claiming that we had none to give. I need the money I have to do the task.
The Osun State House of Assembly, meantime, has refuted Williams’ accusations that it accepted bribes.
The House of Assembly also labelled the claim as an effort at blackmail in a statement signed by Kunle Alabi, the Chief Press Secretary to Speaker Timothy Owoeye.
The suspended Ilesa Water Project Consultant was given 24 hours by the Assembly to withdraw the remarks or face legal repercussions.
It is regrettable that Engineer Tawa Williams, the consultant for the Ilesa water project, has resorted to cheap blackmail in an effort to hide her incompetence, much like a drowning person who will grab onto any straw that is offered. (sic)
Doesn’t it defy logic and plain sense that one would solicit a $5 million bribe on a $2 million project? Recall that occasionally in November during plenary, the Assembly had raised concerns over the poor implementation of the project and the non-execution of a $2 million treatment plant.
“Engineer Tawa Williams has been given 24 hours by the House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, to withdraw her bribery allegation against the committee of the Assembly. If she fails to do so within the allotted time, the Assembly will be forced to seek redress in court because no amount of blackmail will prevent the Assembly from carrying out its constitutional duties.
“The Osun House of Assembly would never demand anything from any government agency or person before carrying out its constitutional obligations in a proper manner.
With her latest outburst of turning to blackmail to stay afloat with her designation as the consultant of the water project, the aforementioned Engineer Tawa Williams demonstrated that she is unworthy of having been given such a significant duty.
The Speaker further urged the members of the Committee on Water Resources not to give up on their responsibilities.
