In 2006, N1.6billion was paid to contractors engaged by Kwara State government, under the leadership of Dr Bukola Saraki for the purpose of developing Ilorin Cargo Terminal.

The total worth of the project was N1.8billion and upon award of contracts, N1.6billion was paid as upfront payment.

However, 13years later, neither the contractors, nor the Kwara State government has done anything tangible on the project, and many have been asking what happened to the N1.6 billion paid for the project.

To unravel what happened to the project, a committee set up by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, led by Senator Makanjuola Ajadi investigated the project and established that, Ilorin Cargo Terminal, established in 2006 is a wholly owned state government project for cargo business.

The construction of the building together with electrical infrastructure was contracted to 5 contractors and each of the contractors are to handle different components, namely (i) Cargo Terminal building (ii) Repair of Snags (iii) Floor Finishing (iv) Apron & Taxi way (v) Electrical component.

According to the report, the overall worth of the contract is N1.8billion and N1.6billion was paid upfront to the contractors, yet only less than 5% of the work has been done since 2006.

Investigation shows that, the Cargo Terminal building was given to a company named Stabilini Visioni and out of N1.2billion, which is the overall cost of the project, N1.1billion was paid to the company as upfront, which is over 90% upfront payment.

Similarly, the Floor Finishing of the Cargo Terminal project was given to a company called Albulal Limited and out of the N53.8million, which is the overall cost of the project, N48million was paid to the company as upfront, which is also over 90% upfront payment.

Furthermore, the Apron & Taxi Way of the cargo terminal project was given to another company named Duravil Engineering and out of the N370million, which is the total cost of the project, N365million was paid to the company as upfront. That is another over 90% upfront payment.

Another company called Salmal Global got the contract of electrical component and out of the N41.5million, which is the overall worth of the project, N21million was paid to the company as upfront. That is about 50% upfront payment and even the contract for the repair of snags was awarded to Duravil Engineering and out of N73.9million, which is the overall worth of the contract, N36.9m was paid to them as upfront. That is about 50% upfront payment, yet almost nothing was done by all the 5 companies.

In total, all of the 5 companies engaged to do the job got about 90% of the total contract sum as upfront payment, but did almost nothing, apart from moving few materials to the premises

10years later, precisely in 2016 after long period of desertion, it was noticed that some items at the cargo terminal building was vandalized without trace.

Even though the vandalization was reported to the security agencies at the time, no one has been arrested in connection to the vandalization, neither has any item been recovered.

Some of the items vandalized at the terminal building include, underground armored cable, cable feeder pillars of transformer, supply cables, distribution box, control box, taxiway light and cctv cameras.

At the moment, the walls of the cargo terminal building is already cracking due to abandonment and its doors are also damaged.

As it was earlier noted, about 90% of the contract sum was paid to all the 5 contractors handling the project since 2006, but 13years later, almost nothing has been done and the project has been completely abandoned.

According to available records, the project has not been sold, but it remains a mystery, how almost 90% payment would be made upfront since 2006, yet no concrete work would has been done and there is no record of what stalled the project from government record, neither was there any record of government attempt to compel the contractors to do the job they were paid for. This calls to question, whether the contractors really got the money.

As at today, the terminal is now completely abandoned and the premises over grown with dirt and weeds.

It is therefore recommended that, considering the over N1.6billion already invested in the project through upfront payment to the 5 contractors, it would be unwise to let the project go to waste. Therefore, comprehensive repair of the project should be undertaken by the government.

The 5 contractors given the project should be invited to understand why they abandoned the project despite receiving almost 90% upfront payment and going forward, the contract should be reviewed with a view to either sustain or repudiate their contract, depending on their explanation upon invitation.

Possibility of terminating the contract of all existing non-performing contractors should be considered and other viable companies may be considered.

Upon repair, a solid arrangement should be concluded on the profitability of the project with a view to recoup government investment

Prompt action should be taken to keep the premises clean and the security of the premises should be beefed up against further vandalization.

Kwara Must Change

In the time past, I had admonished Senator Bukola in my write-ups for the first time then in his case against Omoyele Sowore, I also tutored him in the case of Biodun Baba and I believe it is important to call for the supports of friends and family in the legal parlance to further school the former Senate President, that prosecution of criminal cases cannot be completely achieved through proxy save for media relevance and mere political propaganda.

Sometime in 2017 when we were building up for O to gee movement against the Saraki dynasty, an improperly procured judgement of 4billion Naira was awarded against Omoyele Sowore for Senator Saraki while he was a senate president. This judgement of High Court sitting in Ilorin was given without the testimonies of Saraki and Sowore. I admonished my brother, over the incurable defection of the case of civil defamation. Mr Femi Falana, SAN, Mr Sambo Muritala, now the current Special Assistant (Legal) and myself were defending Sowore in the case. The defective judgement was accordingly thwarted at the Appeal Court and it dismissed for lacking merit.

Few months after this, one Alhaji Jimoh Adeshina (a.k.a Ojingo) instituted another criminal action in form of Direct Criminal Complaint against Biodun Baba a primary school teacher in Ilorin, Kwara State & one of frontliners in O to gee movement in the build-up to 2019 Elections alleged funnily to have abused Senator Bukola Saraki. He was been prosecuted on behalf of former Senate President (Senator Bukola Saraki) through complaint of the said Alhaji Adeshina a PDP stalwart and one of the cronies of the former Senate President. The reality in Court scared them away when they had to beg Magistrate Dasuki to grant the application to withdraw the case.

It should be noted that apart from Legal Practitioners, Community interest groups or registered Non-governmental organisation that is out to fight for rights of individual in society, another person which in the present case is one Taju Alabi a defunct official aide to the former Senate President of the 8th Senate another person entirely and legally cannot write petition on behalf of another person except the injured or the person that claimed that he or she is affected is in a bad state or incapacitated.

Thus, just like every other person in the State or anywhere Senator Bukola Saraki will have to come down the ladder to narrate how painful he felt if he was truly dragged by Governor’s Aide Press Release. Thus, Taju Alabi is just crying more than the bereaved, and that is even if there is any person so or said or claiming to have been injured. In the present circumstance, Senator Bukola Saraki will not be taken serious by the current diligent IGP except if he is ready to come down from his high horse to convince the police or DSS as the case may be with his testimony in form of statement and his evidence before the Court.

At this very moment, I see Aide playing with another Aide, which is full of comedy, frenzy and jokes. So enough of the joke from Taju Alabi, the guy who is trying to impress the former Senate President so that his Oga can applaud him for his usual sycophantic job.

*Abibulai Bolaji Alao, Esq.*

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday inaugurated the over 2000-member Kwara State All Progressives Congress Campaign Council, saying that the achievements of his administration will ease their tasks across the 193 political wards in the state.

“As a government, we have made your job easy because of what we have done in every part of the state. We met dilapidated structures across the state in primary health and education, poor infrastructure, and lack of water supply. We have gone very far to overcome that. We have done exceedingly well across sectors,” AbdulRazaq said, as he inaugurated the council alongside other party leaders, including Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi.

“We have stabilised things, and the next few years will serve to consolidate on our achievements and position our state for greatness and further empower our people positively, especially young people and women.

“The previous governments couldn’t even pay salaries, pensions, and gratuities in spite of huge funds that they received. Within the last two months, we have paid about N6bn to clear salary arrears, pensions, and gratuities for 2009, 2010, and now 2011.

“We will continue to upscale on what we have done in the areas of health, education, agriculture, road infrastructure, and social safety net.”

AbdulRazaq congratulated all members of the council for their nomination by the party and charged them to consolidate on the success recorded in 2019.

“You are charged to deliver our party just as you did in 2019. The immediate challenge is to deliver Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria. Then, you must deliver all our senators and House of Representatives members on the 25th of February, 2023. You should also deliver all our candidates in the March 12 governorship and House of Assembly elections,” AbdulRazaq said.

AbdulRazaq also encouraged the youths to learn from the experiences and guidance of elders to guarantee the success of the party.

State chairman of APC, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, urged members of the council to work assiduously for the victory of the party at all levels in a peaceful and orderly manner.

“We do not want violence in this election. Go about your campaign peacefully. We do not believe in violence because our party is not known for that. We commend the police for their prompt action, which led to the arrest of a member of the opposition who nearly disrupted our campaign recently in Ilorin,” he said.

Speakers at the inauguration included Senators Sadiq Umar and Lola Ashiru; Kwara Central Senatorial district candidate and Turaki of Ilorin Mallam Saliu Mustapha; House of Representatives candidates Raheem Olawuyi, Yinka Aluko, Mukhtar Sagaya, Dr Ahmed Adamu Saba; and Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu; and Director General of the Campaign Council Alhaji Yahya Seriki.

They urged members of the party to see their appointments as call to duty and those not on the list to see themselves as part of the project.

They said the victory of APC will the continuation of more good things to come to Kwara State.l, adding that it is a project that all must work together to win.

All members of the party must see themselves as campaign managers and deliver their respective polling units and wards, the chieftains said.

They said the administration of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been good for everybody and every community, thereby making things easier for the party in the state.

The chieftains said what the Governor has done is evident across various rural communities, adding that the statistics are improving in health and education and the likes and patriots will not allow Kwara to go back to retrogressive old days.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
February 1, 2023

Another devastating blow for sinking Kwara PDP, as Gwanara Ward Chairman defects to APC

The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Gwanara Ward, Kwara State, Suleiman Mohammed, has dumped the party which he described as sinking for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gwanara Ward is in Baruten Local Government in the northern part of Kwara State. It forms one of the constituencies of Speaker, State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu.

The new APC member said the reason for his defection is the excellent performance and outstanding achievements of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Speaker Danladi.

According to him, they have brought unprecedented achievements in governance to his community, with several ongoing projects in road, healthcare, education, water, among others.

“Kwara PDP is a sinking party. I’ve decided firmly to join the APC and support the re-election bid of the Governor and other APC candidates,” the former PDP chairman said.

The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has appreciated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for approving the payment of salaries owed to the SUBEB teachers under the previous administrations.

The latest payment is yet another tranche in a series of payments Governor AbdulRazaq has approved in a bid to offset the inherited salary arrears.

The Governor has not owed workers salaries since the inception of the administration, despite also implementing the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.

In a statement by Chairman, Kwara NUT, Comrade Oyewo Bashir, Governor AbdulRazaq was assured of the maximum support of the teachers on his targets for the education sector in the state.

They also wished him success in the forthcoming election.

“On behalf of the entire SUBEB Teachers in the state, the union wishes to appreciate you sir for your magnanimous approval of another 44% of the salary owed by the last administration. This will go a long way in showing your kindness and determination in putting smile on the faces of teachers,” the statement read.

“We assure you sir, to whom much is given much is expected, all efforts will be rejigged to ensure your target of changing the educational sector is achieved. Thanks so much sir as we wish you Allah’s mercies in the forthcoming election.”

• Party says AbdulRazaq’s reelection a pan-Kwaran project

•Campaign Council members are ambassadors of other party members

• New strategic engagement platforms underway

• APC boasts of success at polls, promises continuous inclusion

Kwara State’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has released an over 2000-member strong multi-stakeholders’ campaign council list, which it says comprises party chieftains and sympathisers drawn from every demography in the state.

The party made this declaration in a statement issued , stressing that the composition of the list attracts every segment of the state, including persons and groups not in any way affiliated to the party.

The party added that the re-election bid of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is a project of all the people of Kwara State who have enjoyed a positive paradigm shift over the last three years and want him to remain in the saddle for the next four years.

The party further expressed confidence in the successful re-election of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the election of all APC’s Candidates, charging all members of the campaign council to be great ambassadors of Kwarans and to work hard in mobilising every resident of the state.

More nominations, according to the party, will be made to support the existing campaign structures across the state, adding that everyone is important in the scheme of things.

“As the ambassadors and representatives of the people of Kwara State, especially members of our party, the council members have, like many others who may not be on the list, distinguished themselves through years of committed and faithful service to the party, and thus possess the quality and dedication required for success at the polls later this year.

” The party therefore wishes to congratulate the appointees while assuring party chieftains not specifically mentioned on the list of continuous inclusion in the campaign and party’s activities through various means that will equally be recognised,” the statement said.

Alhaji Tajudeen Aro Folaranmi
State Publicity Secretary
Kwara APC
Ilorin, Kwara State.

On behalf of the entire SUBEB Teachers in the state,the union wish to appreciate you Sir for your magnanimous approval of another 44% of the salary owed by the last administration.

This will go a long way in showing your kindness and determination in putting smile on the faces of Teachers.

We assure you Sir, to whom much is given much is expected, all efforts will be rejigged to ensure your target of changing the educational sector is achieved.

Thanks so much sir as we wish you Allah’s mercies in the forthcoming election.

Com Oyewo Bashiru
NUT Chairman
Kwara State Wing.

•Ex-Council also considered.

•Pension and Gratuity to be paid

The Kwara State Government is again set to offset another part of the outstanding debt inherited from the past administration from another refund of Sure-P on behalf of the 16 Local Government Councils in the State.

The Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Hon Lafia Aliyu Kora-Sabi disclosed that on the receipt of the refund, meeting was held with relevant Stakeholders for appropriation and as well disbursements.

The Honourable Commissioner further disclosed that the Sum of One Billion was set aside for the payment of outstanding arrears as done during the last tranche,Ex-Council Political Office holders (1999-2016) as well as pension and gratuity were considered.

Also some amount was set aside for Projects execution for all the 16 Local Government Councils.

It would be recalled that a similar meeting was also held among the Stakeholders when the first tranche of 3.5Billion was received.

According to the Honourable Commissioner, this gesture is a further demonstration of the transparency of the present administration under the leadership of His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq non-interference with funds meant for Local Government Administration in the State.

Oba Azeez,

Press Secretary,

Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development

Kwara State All Progressives Congress, APC has Congratulated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the recognition and conferment as the year 2022 Governor of the year award by Vanguard newspapers.

The felicitation was contained in a congratulatory message by the party which reads: “The entire Kwara State APC family, heartily Congratulates His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on his recognition and conferment of the year 2022 Governor of the year award by the Vanguard newspapers.

” Your nomination and endorsement, as the recipient of this prestigious honour and award, is ample testimony of the national acclaim you have attained, not only as the distinguished Governor of Kwara State, but indeed in full cognizance of your sterling reputation and contributions, as a true national statesman, nation builder, peacemaker, unifier and an exemplary leader in our collective quest towards strengthening and deepening our democratic experience as a people and nation.

“We are very proud of your unparalleled achievements as the Governor of Kwara State and the undisputed leader of our party at the state.

” We are fully confident that this prestigious award will serve as a catalyst to spur you to greater heights and glory at the national stage.

“Once again, Congratulations Your Excellency.”

Signed

Alhaji Tajudeen Aro Folaranmi,

State Publicity Secretary.

Kwara APC, Ilorin.

The Osun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has nullified the victory of Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The long-drawn legal battle was finally put to rest on Friday as the tribunal gave its judgement on the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.

The tribunal established cases of overvoting and rigging in the election that saw Adeleke declared as winner.

Meanwhile, leaders of the PDP have come under fire for deploying the instrument of rigging and electoral malpractice during the election.

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was particularly condemned for the roles he reportedly played in prosecuting the heavily influenced election.

It would be recalled that Saraki was in Osun State in the period of the election acting as the godfather of Adeleke. Osun shares close boundaries with Kwara State where Saraki hails from and he has been a friend of the Adeleke family.

In a comment by a socio-political group identified as Kwara Development Advancement Initiative (KADI), the Chairman Lukman AbdulKadir said Saraki has been put to shame with the landmark judgement of the tribunal, adding his rigging tactics have been exposed.

“Bukola Saraki, the grandmaster of electoral malpractice and rigging, has once again been put to shame with the nullification of the victory of Ademola Adeleke in Osun State. This is a warning for him that he would also be disgraced in Kwara State if rigging is what he depends on as our system has now advanced. There is no way the will of the people can be subverted or truncated through the back door.

“Saraki never won any election in Kwara State credibly. All the elections they won have been dogged by malpractice, violence and rigging. We recall vividly how he manipulated votes from backwater communities of Kwara State in Asa, Moro, among others, pre-2019. He couldn’t do that in 2019 because the Otoge revolution flooded his dynasty. We also recall how they heavily manipulated Local Government elections through their stooges especially Ajidagba of KWASIEC.

“If rigging is what Saraki is banking on to win the 2023 election in Kwara State, he has failed just like Osun has shown. His rigging tactics failed there and the will of the people has been restored. We are aware of how Kwara PDP members were deployed to Osun as INEC ad-hoc staff and observers to influence the election. The tribunal has vindicated us after establishing cases of overvoting. Kwarans are politically aware and conscious. They will monitor and guard their votes.

“We also call on the security agencies to be alive to their responsibilities during the election and not allow crooked politicians to impugn the credibility of the forthcoming polls. We are aware that is their plans. Our democracy must be protected at all costs in the country and Kwara State, specifically,” he told our medium.