Osun Government Speaks On Extortion of O'Meal Applicants

The Government of the State of Osun has stated that it created no avenue for extortion in the ongoing recruitment of food vendor into the O’meal school feeding programme.

It will be recalled that some media houses reported cases of extortion in the process of the recruitment during the weekend which has sparked debated among social media users.

Reacting to the report, the Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi who frowned at the allegation while speaking with Insight Media in his office in Osogbo, stated that whoever is involved should come out to report the case and the officer involved.

Mr Alabi said that the government only requested the applicants to pay a sum of two thousand five hundred naira with no other hidden charges whatsoever.

He said, “We didn’t create any room for the extortion and that is why we announced all the processes involved on the radio and published on the boards of O’meal. We stated clearly what is required to be an acceptable vendor.

“I have also heard that some applicants said they have spent twelve to seventeen thousand naira during the process. I don’t know who they paid that to and what that is meant for because we stated clearly that the application fee is two thousand five hundred naira only”.

The Deputy Governor however clarified that some applicants do not possess the necessary document required to certify that they are into catering business while some also lack certificate of identification as citizens of Osun.

“Let me say that people in normal business while applying for contract must possess some requirements you must meet. If you are doing business, you must have a certificate of incorporation, tax clearance and other documents.

“In this instance, what we have just requested are evidence of payment of N2, 500, evidence of being into business of catering; this is to avoid accidental caterers who can endanger our children, minimum of school certificate; at least to understand instructions, medical certification; this is not needed now until you are selected, but I learnt people are looking for it now and lastly, certificate of origin indicating that you are from Osun.

Speaking further, he said, "We want to give Osun O’meal contract to Osun indigenes and we need the applicants to show either Omoluabi card or local government certificate of origin. So I don’t know how these amount to extortion”.