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.

First Lady     Ogbondoroko     Www.Kwarareports.com     Ubandawaki     Lafia Aliyu Korasabi     Fatima Abolore Jimoh     Musa Yeketi     Musa Ayinla Yeketi     Federal Polytechnic Offa     Ahmad Fatima Bisola     Olatunji Ayeni     Sola Saraki University     Falokun-Oja     Abubakar Suleiman     V.O. Abioye     Nigerian Army     Kehinde Baale     Tosin Saraki     Sanitation Exercise     Muhammad Akande Olarewaju Odunade     Jide Oyinloye     Ambassador Kayode Laro     Bello Oyebanji     AbdulRasaq Abdulmajeed Alaro     Young Progressives Party     Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye     S.O. Opowoye     Ebola     Femi Agbaje     Yomi Adeboye     Joseph Alex Offorjama     GGDSS Pakata     Obasanjo     John Obuh     Local Government Pension Board     Muhammad Mustapha Suleiman     Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Buari Edun     Shehu Salau     Yaman     Kamaldeen Gambari     Abdulrazak Shehu Akorede     Yusuf Abdulwahab     Bolaji Aladie     Michael Nzekwe     Haliru Yahaya     Medview Airlines     Yakubu Mohammed Abdullahi     Centre For Digital Economy     Alloy Chukwuemeka     Alaro     Kupchi Hosea Maxwell     Monkey Pox     Haleeman Salman     Oniyangi     Shettima Of Ilorin     Kumbi Titilope     Abdulrauf Aliyu     Funmilayo Mohammed     Kaiama     Adaramaja     David Oyedepo     Labaeka     Isiaka AbdulRazaq     Pakata Development Association     Fatai Olodo     Matthew Babaoye     NULGE     Alanamu     Dumagi     Kwara 2023     Oba Abdulraheem     Air Peace     Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu     Raliat Islamic Foundation     Kayode Bankole     Issa Manzuma    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Oke-Oyi     Yahaya A Paniyaro     Code Of Conduct Bureau     Iliasu     Ilesha Gwanara Road     College Of Arabic And Islamic Legal Studies     Hikmah AbdulKareem     Adanla-Irese     General Hospital, Offa     Olateju Lukman     Amuda Bembe     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Saidu Isa     Abatemi Usman     Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Young Progressives Party     Ilorin Likeminds Foundation     Gobir     Amule Elementary School     Simeon Sayomi     Oba Mogaji Abdulkadir     Smart School     Abiodun Abdulkareem     Obayomi Azeez     Tsaragi     Isau     National Pilot     Rasaq Jimoh     Ekweremadu     Sunday Fagbemi     Reuben Paraje     Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants     Ilofa     Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak     Galland Marcias     2017 Budget     Adedeji Onimago     Law School Scholarship     BIR     Amusa Bello     Ilorin.Info     Bola Tinubu     Oke-Ode     Kunle Okeowo     Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners     Ilorin Central Mosque     Saliu Oluwole     Isiaka Alikinla     Saka Aleshinloye     Sunset Workers     Unilorin FM     Olukotun Of Ikotun     Ayekale     AGF Abdulrazaq     Yahaya Seriki     Kola Shittu     CACOVID     Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin     Halimah Perogi     Sango-UITH Road     Gbenga Awoyale     Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu     Volunteers Of Ilorin Community And The Emirate     Bayo Ojo     KWIRS     Mope Dasuki Belgore     NIPOGA     KWASIEC     Gbemisola Oguntimehin     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Ajeigbe     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Harafat E. Mukadam     Vishvas KOZ Tractors     Mustapha Olanipekun     Kwara Central     Usman Alkali Baba