Main opposition party in Kwara State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has raised alarm on the alleged plan by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s administration to embark on the construction of a new Government House Secretariat in Ilorin, the state capital.
The party described “the move as illogical, a glaring example of misplaced priority and an attempt to siphon the collective resources of the state.”
A statement on Monday by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, questioned the rationale behind the planned venture, “especially at a time when several communities in Kwara State are groaning under the weight of severe infrastructural deficits, ranging from deplorable roads, collapsed school structures, poorly equipped hospitals, and a worsening poverty rate.
“Governor Abdulrazaq has barely two years left in office. What pressing need does a new Government House Secretariat serve at this twilight of his administration?”
The party argued that “the existing Government House complex, despite its luxuries and aesthetic rating, remains grossly underutilized due to Mr. Governor’s refusal to use it since 2019 and yet, every year, this administration allocates and spends hundreds of millions of naira on its maintenance.
“For example, in 2021, about N3.2bn was budgeted for the Government House renovation by Governor Abdulrazaq,” the statement noted.
The PDP “challenged Governor Abdulrazaq to come clean and publish the full contract details and amount associated with this questionable project.
“Kwarans deserve to know how their commonwealth is being deployed, especially at a time when many families are struggling to survive amid biting economic hardship and government neglect,” the party added.
The spokesman said more disturbing is the report that the contract is being awarded to a foreign contractor in direct contradiction of the ‘Otoge’ campaign promise that pledged to empower local contractors and boost indigenous enterprise as a means to stimulate the state economy.
The PDP urged Kwarans to remain vigilant and not allow the current administration to mortgage the future of their children with vanity projects that neither reflect immediate priorities nor deliver any long-term benefit to the people.