The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has launched a probe into the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) following multiple complaints of alleged infractions in its 2025 budget procurement processes.
In a series of correspondence dated June 30, 2025, and addressed to the management of OORBDA, the BPP acknowledged receipt of petitions from contractors and whistle-blowers over irregularities in contract awards.
According to the documents seen by the newspaper it was noted that the “Bureau is in receipt of several complaints with respect to the procurement proceedings carried out by the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) for projects under the 2025 Budget.”
It further noted, “The allegations border on Inflation of Contracts, tampering of In-House Estimates, Bid Rigging, Collusion and other contraventions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.”
The BPP warned that the alleged infractions, if proven, could tarnish the credibility of government procurement reforms.
“In view of the grave allegations levelled against the OORBDA, which if proven to be true can cast aspersions on the reputation of Federal Government and be injurious to the ongoing procurement reforms,” it said.
Consequently, the Bureau directed the Authority to immediately forward key documents for review. These include, “Comments on the allegations raised in the complaint; copies of the solicitation documents; copies of the bid documents issued to the bidders; the original and revised copies of the In-House Estimates that were issued to the bidders, including the Bills of Quantities; copies of the prequalification and financial bid documents submitted by the bidders; and any other relevant documents that will enable the Bureau make an informed decision.”
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the BPP announced a suspension of the affected procurements.
“Consequent to the above, the Bureau hereby suspends any further action on the subject procurement process until the Bureau settles the matter. This request is made pursuant to Sections 6(1)(h) and (m) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007,” it said.
The Bureau also extended its directive beyond the current fiscal year, demanding broader accountability.
“Further to the above, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority should forward the complete records of the procurement proceedings for the Years 2023 to 2024 Capital and Recurrent procurements to the Bureau for review,” it said.
In a letter addressed to one of the petitioners who wrote on behalf of concerned contractors and whose name this Newspaper has withheld to avoid victimisation, the BPP acknowledged the petitions which originated from contractors under the umbrella of “Concerned Contractors.”
“This is to refer to your letter dated 20th June, 2025, which forwarded a copy of a petition submitted under the aegis of the Concerned Contractors, over allegations of irregularities in the procurement processes of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development and called for a review of the procurement process,” the BPP said.
In its correspondence to one of the petitioners, the Bureau added that the complaint was being examined under its whistle-blower framework.
“The Bureau has noted your complaint submitted under the aegis of the Concerned Contractors, which the Bureau is reviewing under its whistle-blower policy, since the Concerned Contractor does not appear to have participated as a legal entity in the subject procurements,” it said.
The BPP has given OORBDA until July 7, 2025, to submit the required documents.
The Director-General of the Bureau, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, and Engr signed the letters. Isaiah G. Yesufu, on behalf of the DG.
Chairman Alleges Being Sidelined
In a separate letter written to the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Presidential Villa, Abuja, by the Chairman of the River Basin Authority Board, Odebunmi Olusegun, the Managing Director of the River Basin Authority was accused of sidelining the chairman in contract awards.
“I write to formally express my concern and lodge a complaint regarding the ongoing 2025 procurement activities within the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA), which have been executed without my involvement or due consultation, despite my statutory role as the Chairman of the Board,” the letter read in part.
“I was appointed as Board Chairman of the Authority on 12th December, 2024, and have since expected to be carried along in accordance with the provisions of the Authority’s establishment framework and governance organogram.”
“Unfortunately, developments within the Authority have grossly deviated from these expectations. I wish to bring the following issues to your attention.”
He listed some of the issues as: “Exclusion from the Implementation of the 2025 Appropriation, Lack of Involvement in Procurement Processes, Issuance of Award Letters Without Board Chairman’s Input.”
He urged the BPP to: “Investigate the ongoing 2025 procurement activities carried out by O-ORBDA without appropriate governance oversight.
“Review the legality and validity of all contract award letters issued so far by the Managing Director in 2025; Issue a directive to suspend further procurement actions pending compliance with proper governance protocols.”
He further sought that the BPP “provide regulatory guidance on interim procurement governance in institutions like OORBDA where only the Board Chairman has been appointed & Inaugurated.”
He cited an instance where a contract of N499.554 million was awarded for the “Restoration of vandalised electricity supply to Ogun Waterside local government” as an example of such contract awards without his input.
While acknowledging his letter, the BPP noted that it has asked that the River Basin Development Authority respond to the claims.
