OPINION: RE: Is Kwara State Not Being Sold Out? By Bolaji Alabi

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.

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport     Fatai Olodo     Ganiyu Taofiq     Femi Agbaje     Ilorin Innovation Hub     Yahaya Jibril Usman     Usman Alkali Baba     Alloy Chukwuemeka     Kwara South     Monthly Sanitation Exercise     Ilorin Durbar     Harrison Osauwagboe     Balikis Jawondo     Al-Hikmah Radio     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Elerinjare-Ibobo     Sobi FM     Joana Nnazua Kolo     Yusuf Ali     Aliyu Muyideen     Oluwatoyin Lukman     Abdulrazaq Aiyelabegan     Yetunde Balogun     Yakubu Mohammed Abdullahi     Igbomina     Mohammed Halidu     11th Galadima     Vasolar Consultoria     Pategi     Yusuf Aiyedun     Ilorin South Constituency     NURTW     Tinubu     GAMA     Michael Ologundea     Jamila Bio Ibrahim     Ilorin Talaka Parapo (ITP)     Oja-Oba     Mustapha Akanbi     Kwara United     Durosinlohun Kawu     Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Binta Abubakar Mora     Abdulfatai Salman Baakini     AbdulRazaq Abubakar Jiddah     Lawal Arinola Kudirat     Maryam A. Garuba     KWASSIP     Shuaib Jawondo     Galadima     Basit Olatunji     Coalition Of Kwara North Groups     Muhammad Fawaz Abubakar     Hikmah AbdulKareem     PAACO-PCL Consortium     Kwara 2019     Saraki     Saad Omo Iya     Harmony Holdings     UTME     Salaudeen Oyewale     Yusuf Abubakar     Olatunji Abdulmumeen     CCT     Kale Ayo     Idi-Ape     Ubandawaki     Ojo Fadumila     Olatomiwa Williams     KW-GIS     Muhammad-Mustapha Suleiman     Mukhtar Shagaya     John Olobayo     Madawaki     Aliyu Kora Sabi     Kawu Baraje     Igbaja    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Kayode Oyin Zubair     Centre For Digital Economy     Alfa Belgore     Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji     Abatemi Usman     Babaloja-General     Christopher Tunji Ayeni     Ahman Pategi University     Omotosho     Alfa Modibbo Belgore     Shuaibu Yaman     Gabriel Fashanu     Adaramaja     Fareedah Dankaka     Umar Ahmed Gunu     Lateef Alagbonsi     Abiodun Musa Aibinu     Quareeb Islamic Association     International Vocational Centre     Oba Abu     Yahaya Jibril Usman     Ahmad Uthman     Kwara United     Lanwa     Wahab Issa     LAK Jimoh     David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Abdulrasheed Na\'Allah     Gbenga Olawepo     Borgu     Student Learning Support Helpline     SSUCOEN     Muhammad Fawaz Abubakar     Peter Amogbonjaye     Elelu     Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon     Magaji Nda     Post Utme     Ramadan     Ademola Kiyesola     Afeyin-Olukuta     Ayo Salami     Tunji Folami     Kale Ayo     Obuh     Kayode Zubair     Ayeyemi Sulaiman     Jimoh Saadudeen Muhammed     Bello Oyedepo     Ajasse-Ipo     Bayo Mohammed Onimode     Ariyo     Monthly Sanitation Exercise     Kwara North     Tanke     Government High School Adeta     Sunday Popo-Ola     Kwara State Polytechnic     Quranic Recitation Competition     Orisun Igbomina     Modibo Kawu     Afolayan     Ilorin     Aliyu Muyideen     Bello Abubakar     Ebola     IQRA College     Idris Garuba     Kola Adesina     Solomon Edoja     Salman Jawondo     Hajj     KSIRS     Okeose Christian Cementary     Gani Saadu     Abioye Bello     Fatimoh Lawal