A former Commissioner for Works in Ekiti State, Mrs Ogun Funmilayo Theresa (OFT), has condemned the Governor Biodun Oyebanji- led administration for approving a humongous sum of N264. 3 million for completion of already commissioned projects.
Funmi Ogun described as a huge fraud and exhibition of profligacy, attempt by the government to spend this huge sum of money on already completed Oja Oba and Agric Olope Markets that had already been commissioned by the APC government of Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
The former Commissioner also scoffed at the government over slow pace of work on the new flyover in Ado Ekiti, she said it was awarded to incompetent and unknown contractor.
The PDP State Secretary was reacting to the approval granted by the State Executive Council for the spending of the money on the completion of the two markets among other actions taken at the council meeting held in Ado Ekiti.
Expressing disenchantment with the action, Funmi Ogun, in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Atenibiaje, said it smacks of hypocrisy for the APC government to be earmarking money to rebuild a projects that had already been completed and commissioned by Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
The former Commissioner called on the EFCC to beam its searchlights on the reckless spending being perpetrated by the APC government in Ekiti State, at the expense of the hapless and distraught citizens.
“It gets people confused that this current Ekiti government could earmark money on projects that had already been completed and commissioned by Kayode Fayemi’s government . Though, the government of Ayo Fayose built the Oja Oba Market to about 90% completion.
“It was the government of Kayode Fayemi that completed it and commissioned it. The entire place had also been occupied with all facilities in place, so what are they now spending such sum of money on?
” This, to me, is a huge fraud. Kayode Fayemi started the Agric Olope Market and commissioned it and is gradually being occupied. The EFCC must look the way of Ekiti regarding all these.
“They owe Ekiti people a lot of explanations regarding the commitments this huge money will be committed to regarding these projects”.
Funmi Ogun condemned the government for planning to dislodge business and building owners at Atinkankan-Igbeyin area of Ado Ekiti to advance the government’s land forceful acquisition programme under the facade of Urban Renewal policy.
“To me, this was a crass insensitivity to the plights of the people”, she maintained.
The PDP Scribe added that the programme was a misplaced priority just as the multi-million naira Okeyinmi-Ajilosun new flyover under construction, where large number of those whose houses and businesses were dislodged are yet to recover.
“As much as I disagree with this urban renewal policy, the N300m earmarked to pay compensation is questionable”.
On the new flyover, Funmi Ogun regrets the suffering being experienced by commuters and passers-by on the road due to poor execution, calling on government to quickly revoke the contract and re-award to more competent one.