The Director-General of the Bureau of Local Content in Ekiti State, Olalekan Ijidale, announced on Tuesday that the state government will impose sanctions on contractors who fail to comply with the local content law.
Accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant on Local Content Development to the State Governor, Ogunsakin Michael Ayotunde, Ijidale made the statement during an inspection visit to various construction sites in the state.
The Director-General expressed dissatisfaction with one of the contractors for not adhering to the local content law, which requires the employment of at least 40% of Ekiti indigenes as skilled and unskilled workers.
"We conducted a headcount and found that only 13 out of the 69 workers employed for this project are from Ekiti State. This level of compliance is unacceptable, and the Bureau will not hesitate to sanction the contractor," Ijidale said.
He further emphasized that the failure to comply with the 40% local workforce requirement will result in a 5% deduction from the contractor's total contract sum.
Ijidale reiterated the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to ensuring that 40% of local artisans and materials are utilized in handling various projects, especially construction works, within the state.
"The law clearly states that 40% of Ekiti indigenes must be involved in the execution of contracts in Ekiti State. These are the taxpayers who funded this project, and it is only fair that they be given the opportunity to participate in the process," Ijidale said.
The Director-General warned that the Bureau of Local Content has been empowered by law to enforce compliance and will not tolerate any further violations. He stressed that the government's promise to the people of Ekiti State is to ensure the adequate engagement of local workforce in project execution, and the Bureau will ensure that this promise is upheld.
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