The Management of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, has debunked alleged contract racketeering in the institution as “social media posts being circulated by some sensational media outfits who are out to tarnish the image of our University for no Justifiable cause.”
In a rejoinder signed by the institution’s Registrar, Mr G. O. Saliu, and circulated among media houses on Monday January 9, the University said that contrary to the social media report, no case of sharp practice has been established against neither the University, nor its Vice-Chancellor nor any of its staff.
Though it confirmed that the EFCC sometime last year requested for some information and later invited one staff member for discussions concerning some projects sponsored by TETFund in the University, as part of routine activities by the Federal Government, it said that TETFund has responded to the anti-graft agency by clearing the University on the status of the projects under reference.
According to the statement: “It is important to note here that OAUSTECH was not the only institution invited and checked by the EFCC in the year 2021. Other institutions that benefited from the Federal intervention, through TETFund, were also checked.
“Apart from requesting for information from the universities, including OAUSTECH, the EFCC also sought information from the TETFund office in Abuja concerning the projects. We are aware that TETFund had responded to EFCC by clearing the University on the status of the projects under reference.”
It said that “the hues and cries being pushed are being perpetrated by some behind the scene detractors, some of who had made representations to the Vice Chancellor to provide inducement so as to silence the “probe””
The statement maintained that: “OAUSTECH is committed to due process and best practices and will continue to improve upon her procedures, in line with laid down regulations and laws.”
It noted that the University has just started benefiting from the TETFund intervention, two years ago; and advised that: “Contractors and their “sponsors” that did not get contracts they bade for so far may get contracts in future and that anyone who could not get one now should not see that as an avenue to disrepute the University or its officials since every contractor can not get the same contract at the same time.”
Following is the full statement titled: “Re: EFCC Queries – Rejoinder: “The attention of the Management of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State has been drawn to the social media posts being circulated by some sensational media outfits who are out to tarnish the image of our University for no Justifiable cause.
“The Management wish to make the following declarations concerning the issues at stake:
“i.It is true that the EFCC requested for information, and later invited a staff of the University for discussions concerning some projects sponsored by TETFund in our University. The request and subsequent actions were routine activities by the Federal Government Agency.
“It is important to note here that OAUSTECH was not the only institution invited and checked by the EFCC in the year 2021. Other institutions that benefited from the Federal intervention, through TETFund, were also checked.
“ii.Apart from requesting for information from the universities, including OAUSTECH, the EFCC also sought information from the TETFund office in Abuja concerning the projects.
“We are aware that TETFund had responded to EFCC by clearing the University on the status of the projects under reference.
“iii.So far, no case of sharp practice has been established against the University, the Vice-Chancellor nor any OAUSTECH staff.
“The hues and cries being pushed are being perpetrated by some behind the scene detractors, some of who had made representations to the Vice Chancellor to provide inducement so as to silence the “probe.”
“However, their efforts were to no avail.
“Finally, please note that OAUSTECH has just started benefiting from the TETFund intervention, two years ago. Contractors and their “sponsors” that did not get contracts they bade for so far may get contracts in future and that anyone who could not get one now should not see that as an avenue to disrepute the University or its officials since every contractor can not get the same contract at the same time.
“OAUSTECH is committed to due process and best practices and will continue to improve upon her procedures, in line with laid down regulations and laws.”
