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Posted: June 26, 2013 – 08:58
By Adekoya Boladale
‘Let us through this medium put a clarion call to the good people of Ogun State- market men and women, Taxi Drivers, Okada Riders, Civil Servants, NATA, NURTW, ROADS, Religious Bodies, Traditional rulers, Elders, Youths to unite and come out en masse to say no to this bond of bondage. To do otherwise will amount to surrendering Ogun State to perpetual slavery’- Ibikunle Amosun (2010)
It was a sunny day in the ancient city of Abeokuta, Ogun State, the crowds were full of joy and excitement, some were dancing, some were singing ,some were laughing while others just stood firm with keen interest. This was the atmosphere on Monday 9th of August 2010, in what appears like a political campaign rally only that this time around the people had gathered for some sort of protest.
Few minutes later, a dark tall man in his early fifties was welcomed to the podium, he was wearing white Guinea brocade and a blue traditional cap intentionally posed in a way similar to the architectural design of the Federal Ministry of Transportation complex in Abuja. Oh yes, It was that tall! Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA) as the master of ceremony announced came up the podium spitting fire and brimstone against the then government of the State led by Otunba Gbenga Daniel who was the governor of the state. ‘SIA’ as fondly called, condemned most of the policies of the governor and one of such is the proposed plan of the administration to access a 50billiion naira bond from the capital market which the government claimed will be used for the construction of Cargo Airport, Deep Seaport and Free trade zone.
In the beginning ‘SIA’ was vocally sound and full of patriotism. Listening to Amosun challenge the government in 2010, one would have believed he would fare better than the PDP led administration and so the people of Ogun state voted him into power to practice what he preached.
Three years after that Abeokuta rally and Amosun is governor, it is deeply regrettable and disappointing that the dreams and vision so publicized on that day are mere hoax. Alas, the same man who stood tall in Abeokuta to criticize the proposed bond of the government that day is presently sinking the same state into generational debt.
In just two years of his administration ‘SIA’ has obtained a 100billion naira loan from Guaranty Trust Bank(GTB), a foreign loan from Brazil worth over 40billion naira, 25billion naira loan from five different Nigerian commercial banks, 8billion naira loan from First Bank just to mention few, this cumulative figure the debt office put at over 200billion naira. Most of these loans were locally sourced from commercial banks and payable in short terms.
Let me state clearly that I have nothing against loans, it is a machinery put in place to assist government, organization and individuals take giant strides that would impact lives and businesses but in most cases, project being financed through loans should be capable of yielding enough profit to repay such loans. In case of state, loans are better taken for economy development projects that would create employments, revenue and commercialization rather than projects that would only beautify the physical landscape of the state. No man in his right senses takes loan for ceremonial functions such as wedding, birthday or burial. The bottom line is this, loan-financed-projects must add to economy growth and not have adverse effect on the treasury periodically due to its maintenance; it should further be capable of servicing itself.
As a political scientist cum business analyst, I am aware that huge debt such as this are better accessed through the capital market as only this institution offers the best payment platform such as minimum interest rate and long term payment option. It is only penny wise pound foolish to accept huge loan offer from banks (not to mention Nigerian banks) no matter how juicy the terms of payment may be. A government that truly has the interest of the people at heart and the future generation in consideration would know that such offers only comes from the ‘devil’ in which way it never ends in a ‘happily ever after’.
Secondly it is bizarre that a state that generates internal revenue of over 3billion naira and a federal allocation of over 17billion naira monthly less excess crude oil shares and SURE-P allocation would be at the mercy of commercial banks for construction of five roads and bridges to the tune of 200billion naira. This is alarming and really questions the managerial ability of the present government.
It is also important to caution the present government in its unending move to promote discourse amidst the three main ethnic groups in the state. The body language and actions of SIA has continued to raise dust on whether he really represents the people of Egba or Ogun state as a whole? Recently, the government moved to scrap the prestigious Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) given flimsy excuse such as the state inability to fund its daily running cost even when the state was only contributing 25% of the school running cost. In another twist the state government grounded the planned cargo airport in Ilisan-Iperu Remo Ogun state given inability of funds as excuse only for the governor to tender before the state house of assembly a proposal to build an airport in Abeokuta. These continuous actions are unhealthy and will only create disunity in the state.
I must say I am disappointed in the silence of ‘Kongi’ (Prof Wole Soyinka) in the mode of administration in the state. The news making round is that Prof sudden silence is linked to the appointment of his daughter as the state commissioner for health, this I don’t believe. ‘Prof’ is a stake holder in the state and was one of the key players in the struggle for accountability during the last administration; he will never allow his long built reputation dragged in mere mud.
It is shameful that this present government represent the new league of progressive politicians who are on the verge of restoring the hopes of the common masses. We have heard speeches and talks from the newly merged All Progressive Congress (APC) on how they plan to rekindle the flames of our lost glory but how can we truly believe their plans when individuals like Amosun who fly the party flag is at the helm of affairs in the state.
We all are keeping our fingers crossed as we await a new Nigeria led by a better political party but are these acclaimed progressives our best options? Only time will tell.
Adekoya Boladale a political scientist is the Convener, Advocacy for Better Leadership (ABEL) and wrote via [email protected]
Twitter: @adekoyabee
