The attention of the Re-Fadahunsi asks National Assembly to stop Oyetola’s Administration from borrowing
The attention of the Osun APC Caucus in the National Assembly has been drawn to a statement credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi calling on the National Assembly and the Osun State House of Assembly to stop the administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola from borrowing.
We are rather surprised that Senator Fadahunsi who is representing the good people of Osun East Senatorial District in the Senate and thus an ambassador of the State of Osun in the National Assembly could go as low as he did with his laughable attempt at sabotaging the efforts of Governor Oyetola at harnessing resources for the immediate and long-term development of our dear state.
It is indeed a parody that Senator Fadahunsi who supported the Federal Government’s request to borrow to fund critical projects has suddenly decided to constitute himself as a stumbling block to this home state’s quest to access and deploy resources in the face of the dwindling revenues.
Senator Fadahunsi’s call is totally ill-conceived and an attempt to draw attention to himself and portray the State Government of Osun’s plans in bad light.
The Distinguished Senator needs to be schooled in the art of when to talk and when to refrain from doing so. To start with, the request for loans (if any) by Governor Gboyega Oyetola is not borrowing for jamboree. The effect of Covid-19 on the global economy is enormous. In Nigeria, the crash in oil prices has resulted in a nosedive of government revenue projections that has adversely affected revenue allocation from the Federation Account.
It is gratifying to note that Governor Gboyega Oyetola has not sat back and allow the current economic crisis occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic to affect the capacity of the State Government to deliver on its onerous responsibilities, including improving the general welfare of the citizenry and placing the state on a sound financial footing.
If Senator Fadahunsi’s grouse is that the state government is attending to the needs of the citizens, then picking on Governor Gboyega Oyetola for criticism is absolutely unnecessary and totally uncalled for.
The state government has always judiciously utilized all financial resources, including loans and grants. Only recently, the state received twenty million dollars ($20m) from the World Bank. It was granted following the State's impressive performance under the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Result. The Central Bank (CBN) converted the amount about two years ago to Naira. At the time, the exchange rate was N305 to a dollar. To show transparency and accountability, the said amount is domiciled with the CBN, and releases are made only when they satisfy World Bank procurement process.
The fund has always been domiciled with the CBN and specifically meant to rehabilitate and revitalise the 332 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), one per ward across the State on the basis of the survey and audit carried out by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Bank. Of the 332 PHCs earmarked for rehabilitation and revitalisation, the administration awarded 315 with 256 already fully equipped and functioning.
In Fadahunsi’s Ijesa area alone, the State Government have inaugurated 47 PHCs. Specifically, in Obokun Local Government Area, where Distinguished Senator Fadaunsi comes from, five of the PHCs are up and running.
Apart from fixing the PHCs to enviable standards, the State government is also fixing the major general hospitals in Osun. For instance, it is constructing a 120-bed ward and 30 units of Doctors' quarters at Asubiaro Specialist Hospital, Osogbo, just as it has rehabilitated and revitalised the Ejigbo General Hospital, which today is equipped with modern equipment. Additionally, the government has also rehabilitated and revitalised the General Hospital at Ifetedo. Apart from spending on infrastructure, we also cater for the welfare of our medical personnel.
It must be noted that Senator Fadahunsi is a member of the Senate and any request for loans from Governor Gboyega Oyetola will be open for legislative scrutiny and approval. One would have expected the Senator to raise whatever observations at the Senate by convincing his colleagues on why the loans are unnecessary instead of singing discordant tunes in the media.
Signed
1.Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru (Chairman)
2.Sen. Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo
3.Hon. Olubukola Oyewo
4.Hon. Amobi Yinusa A
5.Hon. Olufemi Fakeye
6.Hon. Taiwo Olukemi Oluga
7.Hon. Lawrance Babatunde Ayeni
8.Hon. Afolabi Olalekan Rasheed
No comments:
Post a Comment