Wada Gets Warning From Kogi Governor-elect, Bello

Yahaya Bello, the Kogi state governor-elect has warned the outgoing administration led by Idris Wada against awarding frivolous contracts which may cripple and plunge the state into further financial hardship.
In a statement by his media office, Bello warned Wada not to attempt frustrating the incoming government by awarding of contracts without following due process, Vanguard reports.
“Our attention has been drawn to some hasty contracts about to be awarded by the government through the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB). In as much as we are aware that the government still has up till January 27, 2016 to act on behalf and in trust for the Kogi people, restraints are required to ensure the state is not plunged into further debts.
“Information at our disposal shows that despite the failure of government to judiciously account for the 1.7 billion naira, of which the state paid 872 million naira as counterpart fund with the Universal Basic Education providing the balance of 872 million naira balance intervention fund.
“We are also aware that the 872 million naira counterpart fund paid by government was a facility from Zenith Bank which government will have to service,” the statement read.

The governor-elect expressed concern the government had secured another 2.1 billion naira from Zenith Bank in order to access another 2.1 billion naira, further compounding the situation.
Bello noted that though the government owed contractors over a billion naira on previous SUBEB projects, it has completely ignored the necessity to settle its previous debts before awarding others.
“Our concern is hinged on the fact that, with the level of indebtedness in Kogi state, it will be unfair to further cripple the state by plunging us into further debts when our civil servants are being owed several monthly salaries. We urge the government to halt further action on the new contracts to ensure accountability,” the governor-elect said.
Speaking on the matter, one of the contractors who handled the earlier contract in Kogi West, said he had completed his own project but has only been paid 60% of the contract sum.
“I can’t imagine what the government is trying to do now. They are owing us and at the same time, awarding fresh contracts to people who are just rushing back to complete their company registration,” he said.

In reaction, Jacob Edi, the special adviser to the governor on media and strategy said the allegations were unfounded, adding that they were a figment of the imagination of the author.
Bello was chosen by the All Progressives Congress to replace its governorship candidate Audu Abubakar, who died before the elections were concluded. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the national chairman of the APC recently explained why the party chose Bello.
He added that James Faleke may be replaced as the deputy if the need arise, following his persisted refusal to work with governor-elect, Bello.