Date: 2016-10-25

Dear Abdulmajeed Wahab, I read with interest your recent article with the above title, which was published by an online blog, Ilorin.info. I was compelled to write a rejoinder in order to clarify and correct some of the inaccuracies and misinformation the article is riddled with. Foremost, I must say that your write up shows how uninformed you are about recent developments and the true situation of things in Kwara State, and you are clearly buying into a narrative of disinformation and misinformation created and circulated by the opposition.

Unarguably, one of the best decisions taken by the present administration in Kwara State is the establishment of the Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K), which will enable the State government implement developmental projects on a sustainable basis despite the current economic recession that has affected the capacity of many state governments to meet their obligations including projects execution. For the benefit of those who do not know what IF-K is; it is a contributory scheme designed to pool funds for infrastructure projects. Under IF-K, all ongoing and new capital projects will be funded to completion.

In establishing the IF-K, a reputable investment company, Investment One Financial Service was appointed as trustee for the scheme. Contrary to Abdulmajeed's erroneous insinuations, let me clarify that Investment One is not in charge of any capital project, it was only appointed to serve as trustee for IF-K in order to ensure accountability and insulate the funds from political control to ensure that the funds are used solely for infrastructural projects.

The State Ministry of Works and Transport still oversees the implementation of critical projects in the State as it has always done. As trustee, Investment One will only disburse funds to contractors at agreed project milestones and upon the presentation of a certified certificate of completion. It will also market the fund to potential investors and mitigate against payment risks by ring-fencing the funds and limiting their utilization to the approved purposes for which they have been earmarked.

Mr. Abdulmajeed was also wrong to have said that the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) has taken over the responsibilities of the State Ministry of Finance. Both KWIRS and Ministry of Finance are separate entities with distinct roles and responsibilities. Even at the national level, we have the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and their operations are clearly different. It is, therefore, downright illogical and mischievous for anyone to claim that KWIRS has taken over the responsibilities of Finance Ministry.

On the taking over of the management of Kwara Hotels by Harmony Holdings Limited (HHL), I think it is a right step in the right direction. To me, this is long overdue considering the current state of the hotel. The intervention became necessary in order to prevent the hotel from deteriorating any further. Harmony Holdings is also expected to inject funds into the hotel to upgrade and transform it to ultra-modern hospitality facility. HHL is a fully owned entity established in 2012 by the State government.

On a final note, I would like to urge Mr. Abdulmajeed to always carry out proper investigations and fact finding before writing in order not to mislead the public. Our thoughts and commentaries in the media have immense impacts on people and on nation building in general.