The contractor in charge of the renovation of Government High School, Ilorin, Concel Engineering Nigeria Limited has told the Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD) that the social audit initiative of the Kwara State Government is enhancing probity, accountability and value for money.
The contractor said this in a letter signed by Quantity Surveyor Kabeer Oloyede and addressed to the anti-corruption body known for tracking government projects.
Titled, “Social Audit of Capital Projects in Kwara State: Effective and Efficient Management of Kwarans Money”, the contractor said the social audit has given financial control on state projects and ensured judicious spending of public money.
“The exercise of construction audit recently embarked upon by ENetSuD has undoubtedly given additional financial controls around one of the state’s largest capital expenditures to make sure Kwara’s money is being spent judiciously,” the letter read in part.
“The social audit is a laudable scheme. The process doesn’t just benefit the client (employer), Kwarans at large, the contractors benefit from the audit as well,” it added.
The contractor however suggested that the auditing body be introduced at the contract stage and not at the execution stage for more fulfiling results.
“However, on subsequent projects, we urge that the scheme is introduced early at the contract stage other than in the middle of the project, and this would undoubtedly result in increased savings through cost avoidance.
“The early involvement would yield more savings than a stand-alone, closeout audit. Bringing an auditor in during the contract stage will also help ensure that risks and rights under the contract are being protected.”
