Ondo Money under Judicious Management and not for Wasters

By Comrade Olabode Akinwale

IN the strict traditional sense of being unable to read or write, a genuine lawyer cannot be said to be illiterate

However, in some contexts, especially with regards to the recent vituperative write up by one Wale Obanigba – a so called lawyer, his lack of critical thinking, rationality, and the ability to articulately apply knowledge has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that he is an educated illiterate.

Wale Obanigba under the guise of free speech has continue ceaselessly in the malicious damage of another citizen’s hard earned reputation through slander, libel and false accusations.

And the foolhardiness of such uncouth mannerisms calls for a prompt checkmate.

Recently, Obanigba did a write up titled: “Who is Holding Ondo Money Hostage?”

In the write up, which is like an epistle, Obanigba betrayed his poor understanding of government’s modus – operandi.

He embarked on a journey without a map nor a compass and expectedly, he got stuck at an intersection.

A more stable and circumspect mind should have suffice to warn him against attracting the wrath of the law over false and unverified claims.

A 200 level law undergraduate would have known better but once someone is blinded by prejudice, vision becomes cloudy.

First, Obanigba claimed that Ondo State Government’s spending is shrouded in secrecy without any emphasis.

Information concerning all government’s income and expenditure is in the open. Any secondary school student or interested party can access such information on the internet.

Secondly, the allegation that money approved were not released and that there is selective funding of MDAs by the Ministry of Finance, thus stalling project executions in Ondo State is far from the truth.

In government circle, it’s a known fact to all discerning minds that once a contract is approved by the state’s Executive Council after due diligence and Mr Governor authorized it, there is no “Jupiter” that can stop the process from running its full course – including payments as at when due.

As a result, Wale Obanigba goofed by his assertion that a state’s finance commissioner has the capacity to say NO when an Executive Governor say YES!

Here is the truth.

In Ondo State, contractors are on site. Projects are being executed and payments are seamless.

He who alleges must prove.

Obanigba failed to mention just a contractor who is stranded on site because of non release of fund or a government department that is not functioning due to withheld funds.

Thirdly, Obanigba who is running errands as a proxy for some “iron condemned” politicians also accused the Honorable Commissioner for Finance of not allowing the Ondo State Judiciary and the House of Assembly to function independently due to the failure of government to adequately fund them.

Again, this is laughable and ludicrous.

Obanigba, your shameless efforts to stoke the fire of discord and disunity among the various arms of government in Ondo State is dead on arrival.

Just few weeks ago, the state Governor, Hon (Dr) Lucky Aiyedatiwa flagged the construction of a multi million naira judiciary complex in Akure to make Ondo State Judiciary 21st Century complaint!

The House of Assembly has never had it so good like this since the start of the 4th Republic. The Legislators and the Executive are at peace with each other and the state is better for it.

It is therefore obvious that Obanigba is a confused, shadow chasing and attention seeking bootlicker!

If you and your likes are not happy that the state government has plugged all financial leakages or loopholes in Ondo State, then it’s unfortunate.

For your information, today, Ondo State is acknowledged as one of the most prudent and provident state financially in Nigeria.

You can fact check this with the Debt Management Office (DMO) of Nigeria.

By dint of thrifty and judicious management of resources by the Finance Commissioner of Ondo State, the state has escaped from the huge debt trap it found itself before Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa assumed leadership.

Unlike in the past, civil servants are no longer being owed salary in the state.

Retired workers are getting their gratuities regularly. The recent N2.4 billion paid to them is a pointer.

It is only those who are living in another planet that will not appreciate the efforts of Aiyedatiwa’s administration in education.

More teachers have been recruited and being paid as at when due.

Also, more than 1000 health workers have been employed and new set of recruitment exercise is presently on going.

The primary health sector is getting the much needed attention with the new 500 Bed capacity hospitals the State Exco just approved for construction across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State..

The state is no longer owing nor borrowing to survive unlike before.

The prompt counterpart contribution by Ondo State to the Federal Government through the State Universal Primary Education Board (SUPEB) is second to none.
And this fund release has helped in the reconstruction and renovation of many schools in the state.

Infrastructure Development has witnessed a revolution in Ondo State the kind that is unprecedented, yet, Obanigba and his masters are still struggling to marry performances of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to a professional and astute management of the state’s resources by the Executive Council members among whom is Mrs Ómówumi Isaac.

The fact that someone is a public figure does not give unrestrained liberty to some others who are shallow minded and or disgruntled for no just cause to mudsling the person.

Where your own right stops, another person’s right begins.

The Holy Bible in James 1:5 – 8 encourage anyone lacking knowledge to ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.

Comrade Olabode Akinwale writes from Akure, Ondo State