N165bn debt is nothing compared to what I’ve done, says Aregbesola
Rauf Aregbesola, governor of Osun state, says the state’s debt burden is merely exaggerated, and cannot be compared to what his government has done in the state.
Aregbesola said the N165billion debt being touted as huge debt is nothing compared with the development that the state has witnessed in the last six years.
A statement by the bureau of communication and strategy, office of the governor, quoted the governor as making the observation yesterday while declaring open a one day seminar organised for information officers in local government and local council development areas.
Aregbesola said if those spreading the rumour of huge debt by the state understand what governance is all about with little that God has done through his government in the state, they would know that the debt is nothing to write home about.
He stated that if the so-called N165 billion debt is divided by the 4 million population of resident of the state, the burden each person out of this debt is N2,031.25 annually.
“To analyse this alleged 165billion debt, Osun is made up of 4million people. Four million residents are here in Osun and this debt anyway has been transformed largely to a bond organised by Federal Government that would last for twenty years.
“Let us now divide N165billion by 4 million people for 20 years. To help you mathematically. This will give N2,031.25 as cost of N165billion debt to every resident of Osun per annum.
“Ironically, this debt that people are shouting and crying about summed up to N5:56K per person daily. This practically means that every Osun resident carries a burden of N5:56K per day.
“This government we are talking about that puts burden of N5:56K to every citizen of the state, thus feeds every pupil in the public school with N70 every school day.
“That government guarantees security for every citizen and the cost for security can not be determined. That government ensures that roads are increasingly getting better.
“That government provides access to rural areas. That government ensures that Osun school functions at the best form. That government guarantees water supply.
“That government guarantees sanitation. That government guarantees so much. That in practical economic terms, is far beyond what individual must have to give on a daily basis.”
Meanwhile, the governor has charged information officers at the local government level to see themselves as information specialists and adequately report government activities on the nooks and crannies of the state.
He explained that the major achievements of the present administration were recorded at the local areas, lamenting that it is worrisome that the progress made by the present government has not been adequately reported by information officers at the local government level.
“Since the creation of the local councils about a year ago, we are proud to say that a lot of developments have taken place in this areas and they have witnessed more of government activities,” he said.
“As at today, we can beat our chest to the fact that a foundation for effective administration has been laid down by our government at the local government level, but it’s a pity that it is being under reported.
“We have put this together because we want people who are in charge of informing the people from the grassroots to be well equipped and have the prerequisite knowledge of what is being expected of them.
“We must hear from you, we want to know what is going on in your domain, how do you feel about people not hearing you? The truth is that if you don’t blow your trumpet nobody will blow it for you.
“Our major achievements have been done in the grassroots and local areas and this requires adequate reportage.”
The Governor was there when there were surpluses, he should have prepared for the raining days. He does not need to give excuses.
Osun State is in “Coma”. Nothing is going on there. Civil servants have been on half salaries for more than one year.
I wonder if Ogbeni Aregbesola included the civil servant outstanding salaries in the 165 billion debt.
If the little IGRs like incomes from Certificate of Occupancy on lands etc are being pursued, the debt would have been less.
But the state is in “Coma” while the Governor has been on holiday in his office, no one to report to him except his defenders.
Do you know what coma means? Almost all state governments in the country are currently probably on strike with nothing been done nor salaries been paid promptly but it is the one state that is commissioning projects left right and center that is in coma? Let us be serious, there is no way we can say that the Osun debt profile has not been more than justified. States like Ogun make over ten times what Osun makes…Go to those states and ask them to provide one project that measures up to the bridges or schools that Aregbesola has and is still erecting in Osun, and you will understand that Aregbesola has done the impossible in Osun
Coma is an understatement. Osun is drowning.Mention a state in Nigeria that is owing workers as much as Osun.Osun is owing 20months half salary from level 8.No promotion for civil servants for almost 2years.He is constructing roads at exorbitant coats to enrich himself.Children are failing becos their teachers are not motivated, health care is far below national average(u can visit the state hospital and see for ursef)at least his state doctors went on strike for 9months without him being perturbed as far as his families doesn’t use those hoapitals. He wasted billions of naira on opon IMO which is now history. He is calculating per head debt here when all indices are pointing that he has failedSo funny ubare d only ones dat believe ourselves.his style of governance is Laughable but not funny.Mr know it all a big travesty to civilized governance.
I think we miss the point and these politicians already know our myopic mindset. While i agree that having a place of conducive learning is vital for elementary education, it doesn’t guarantee educational advancement or progress. There is more to education that physical structures. ask the corpers in Osun for feedback and you will get a neutral and honest assessment of the current situation. Now it is not a bad thing to borrow, the issue is are you borrowing for consumption or production. If he is borrowing to build ethanol plant (from cassava) or cocoa processing factories i wont complain. We need to borrow to drive IGR and increase GDP. Our roads deficit is so large that you can only priortise. The major issue is that there is no source of repayment of these loans outside oil. How will our children pay this loan back in 20years when oil has lost its value?