Governments borrow money whenever there is need. Mr. Peter Obi
did not borrow; because he felt Anambra State
*Obi
Now, his predecessor, Gov Willie Obiano, thinks differently. He plans to undertake
massive borrowing, and as far as I know, Mr. Obi has not, and is not attempting
to stop him. Does Obi even have the capacity to do so? Rather than fulfil their
heart's desires, they must first of all tell lies about the money Obi left in the treasury after his tenure as governor. They
are even trying desperately to hang the cross of debt on him. Too bad!
For clarity sake, on coming to office, Obi spent his first year
to complete all the contracts awarded by his predecessors. In some cases, he
had to start from scratch. Obi, for example, paid over 35 billion in
arrears of pension and gratuity.
Though they inflated the figures, but the point to note is that
the debt they are talking about in their press conference is contract sum on
projects yet to be executed. What an absurd reasoning! How can somebody, for
example, say you owe 10 Naira you will use to build a house you have just
conceived? This is incestuous reasoning!
As a matter of fact, during his inauguration, Gov. Obiano listed
many projects he would undertake, some of which are, an airport project, three power stations, among others. He started three flyovers at the
initial cost of 5 Billion Naira that was later varied to 15 Billion Naira. They
diverted the money meant for the road, from Amansea to Amawbia roundabout,
which Obi started, to his three flyovers. The contractor doing those flyovers
is owed over 7 Billion Naira. He also started the construction of three roads
to the airport simultaneously. Are these are not enough reasons to convince Anambra
people on the need to borrow rather than bring Mr. Peter Obi into it?
Before Chief Willie became Governor, Obi designed the road from
Umueje to Oil rig with a
*Obi and Obiano
On the issues of shares in Emenite and INTAFACT, I am convinced
that our respected Governor Willie Obiano allowed non-professionals to raise
issues on behalf of the Government of Anambra State. The principle of handover
is that one hands everything to his predecessor, even if the investment was
done for the State by Adam. Some Governors sold shares of their States, but in
Obi’s own case, he handed over those he met.
On SABmiller, as at the time Obi handed over and without
prejudice to his initial investment, Anambra shares in the company was worth
over 3.5 Billion Naira. Today it is worth over 10 Billion Naira. If today
Anambra State Government wants to hand the company over to any person, their
handover note should read 10 Billion Naira and not 3.5 Billion Naira, otherwise
the person taking over will 'eat' the unaccounted 6.5 Billion naira and argue
successfully that he was handed over 3.5 Billion Naira.
On Orient Petroleum, Anambra State Government tried to deny Obi’s investment. It is not enough to say that the State’s land was used as equity, but the fact is that the land has value upon which cash was paid as compensation to the communities involved.
On Orient Petroleum, Anambra State Government tried to deny Obi’s investment. It is not enough to say that the State’s land was used as equity, but the fact is that the land has value upon which cash was paid as compensation to the communities involved.
They said that Obi left 106.2 Billion (wrong figure) over hang
on contractual debts alone. I challenge them to publish the schedule of the
debts and the companies being owed. As at the time Obi left office, he paid for
all the certificates generated on contracts awarded. Certificates are generated
on the basis of work completed. Are they saying Obi ought to pay for contracts
yet to be done? The same man saying this awarded 35 fresh roads within his
first year in office at the total cost of over 81 billion Naira out of which he
has paid 10 Billion Naira. On the other hand, Obi awarded roads totalling 93
Billion in his last year in office and paid a total of over 51 Billion on those
roads before leaving office. Most of those roads were used to campaign for him
during electioneering on the premise of continuity. In fact, he even urged Obi
to award more and start the construction of the airport, but Obi told him he
was working under the confines of proper planning that would not get the
Government unnecessarily encumbered.
Some may argue that it is a matter of style, that while Obi
tried to save for the State, the EXCO of his successor approved 5 Billion Naira
for him to celebrate his first 100 days in office. He charters plane, what his
predecessor never did. Today Government house hosts all manner of parties that
are orgies. One can go on and on.
They also said Obi claimed that the 10 Billion Naira federal
approved refund, out of over 20 Billion Naira he used to work on Federal roads,
were part of the money he left. This is not true, in his handover note, he
mentioned it, but he deducted it, as well as salaries (March), pension,
certificates on works done, all amounting to 5 Billion Naira before arriving at
75 billion Naira. The record is there.
It is pertinent to note that two years have gone, and Anambra
State Government is still debating what was left or not, even when other
Governors that inherited huge debts, unpaid salaries and repayable loans and
bonds have all taken off. In Obi’s first 6 months in office, he had already
saved enormous money for the State- before he was illegally impeached.
I do not know by what economics principle they classified some
money put in certain areas as "not investment." I think they need to
explain this further to us. Did Obi use the money to organise party as is now
the order of the day?
It is shocking to note that Anambra State Government said they
only met 9 Billion cash in the treasury. I have taken the pains to attach the
summary of Anambra cash in different banks as at 17th of March, 2017. I have
gone ahead to attach one example of the Statement of one of the accounts as at
17th of March (Unutilised UBEC money in Diamond Bank, which was two Billion,
one hundred and one million, eight hundred and Sixty-four Thousand, Ninety
Naira N2,101,864,837.90) to drive home the point that we have all the
statements. We shall publish all of them in due time.
One of the most confounding claims by the Government of Anambra
State is the issue of dollar investment. They tried to prove that the
investment has diminished in value, when, on the contrary, the investment has
earned 8 billion Naira for the State. Let it also be noted that the investment
is meant to be held to maturity and not for them to seek ways to sell it as
they do now.
Let us look at some of the spending pattern of the present
Government at Awka and juxtapose it with the claim that they have not touched
the money Obi left.
5 Billion Naira approved by EXCO for the celebration of the
first 100 days in office
I Billion Naira monthly as security vote as if he buys hardware such as fighter planes
Hundreds of millions for 2014 charistmas decoration and buying of horses
Paid 3.2 billion Naira to water corporation (though money was 1st bank ecological funds left by Obi and garnished by the court)
40 Million Naira to change the gates at Government Lodge to befit his status.
35 Million Naira to mount a befitting gate at the Government House
Changed the roof of all the buildings in Government House with the sum of 700 Million Naira
Changed all the tiles in Government House to pale granite at 150 Million Naira
Bought dining table at 25 Million
Bought seats for his palour( lodge) at 50 Million
Bought gold bed from the USA at 30 Million
Bought another gold bed for his wife at 25 Million Naira
Imported kitchen cabinet from the USA at 40 Million
Bought musical sets for his Aguleri home at 150 Million. He is getting set to use it for the first time for a party in Aguleri on Saturday, the 21st
Bought land of all those around him at Aguleri and re-located them elsewhere.
Pays his Commissioners and SAs over N400,000 monthly as against 190,000 Obi paid
Pays SSAs over N300,000 as against 160,000 Obi paid
In less than two years, he has used more vehicles than Obi used in 8 years
His SSG, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu uses 3 prado and 2 Hilux
His present Chief of Staff, Prof. Azike uses 2 prado and 2 Hilux
His present Principal Secretary, Mr. Nwokoye uses 2 Prado and 1 pick up…
And many more…
I Billion Naira monthly as security vote as if he buys hardware such as fighter planes
Hundreds of millions for 2014 charistmas decoration and buying of horses
Paid 3.2 billion Naira to water corporation (though money was 1st bank ecological funds left by Obi and garnished by the court)
40 Million Naira to change the gates at Government Lodge to befit his status.
35 Million Naira to mount a befitting gate at the Government House
Changed the roof of all the buildings in Government House with the sum of 700 Million Naira
Changed all the tiles in Government House to pale granite at 150 Million Naira
Bought dining table at 25 Million
Bought seats for his palour( lodge) at 50 Million
Bought gold bed from the USA at 30 Million
Bought another gold bed for his wife at 25 Million Naira
Imported kitchen cabinet from the USA at 40 Million
Bought musical sets for his Aguleri home at 150 Million. He is getting set to use it for the first time for a party in Aguleri on Saturday, the 21st
Bought land of all those around him at Aguleri and re-located them elsewhere.
Pays his Commissioners and SAs over N400,000 monthly as against 190,000 Obi paid
Pays SSAs over N300,000 as against 160,000 Obi paid
In less than two years, he has used more vehicles than Obi used in 8 years
His SSG, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu uses 3 prado and 2 Hilux
His present Chief of Staff, Prof. Azike uses 2 prado and 2 Hilux
His present Principal Secretary, Mr. Nwokoye uses 2 Prado and 1 pick up…
And many more…
From the foregoing, you will agree with me that we need a
public, televised debate on this matter so that Anambra people will be properly
informed. I am ready to take on any person who is ready for the debate. This is
not about calling a press conference and dishing unadulterated lies to the
people.
STATE cash balances as at 17th of March, 2014
1. STATE CASH
BOOK BALANCE-N5,372,730,886.06
2. STATE SUBSIDY ACCOUNT BALANCE-N5,126,258,908.72
3. ECOLOGICAL FUNDS ACCOUNT BALANCE-N2,139,951,400.00
4. SPECIAL PROJECT ACCOUNT-N1,928,596,191.00
5. L.G.A. SURE-P – SOCIAL SERVICE ACCOUNT REF: C-N1,734,069,061.69
6. JAAC ACCOUNT BALANCES-N1,389,966,705.49
7. MINISTRY OF LANDS-N 640,425,745.77
8. FIDELITY BALANCESREF:A-N1,195,705,433.46
9. SET ASIDE ACCOUNTSREF:B-N4,644,149,663.40
10. MIN. OF WORKS-N1,161,706,912.93
11. MIN OF YOUTH AND SPORTS-N 425,000,000.00
12. MILLENNIUM DEV. GOAL (MDG/CGS) REF: D-N 198,025,255.77
13. MIN. OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, WATER RESOURCES
AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT-N 107,534,571.87
14.UNUTILIZED UBEC ACCOUNT-N2,101,864,837.90 TOTAL-N28,165,985,574.06
2. STATE SUBSIDY ACCOUNT BALANCE-N5,126,258,908.72
3. ECOLOGICAL FUNDS ACCOUNT BALANCE-N2,139,951,400.00
4. SPECIAL PROJECT ACCOUNT-N1,928,596,191.00
5. L.G.A. SURE-P – SOCIAL SERVICE ACCOUNT REF: C-N1,734,069,061.69
6. JAAC ACCOUNT BALANCES-N1,389,966,705.49
7. MINISTRY OF LANDS-N 640,425,745.77
8. FIDELITY BALANCESREF:A-N1,195,705,433.46
9. SET ASIDE ACCOUNTSREF:B-N4,644,149,663.40
10. MIN. OF WORKS-N1,161,706,912.93
11. MIN OF YOUTH AND SPORTS-N 425,000,000.00
12. MILLENNIUM DEV. GOAL (MDG/CGS) REF: D-N 198,025,255.77
13. MIN. OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, WATER RESOURCES
AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT-N 107,534,571.87
14.UNUTILIZED UBEC ACCOUNT-N2,101,864,837.90 TOTAL-N28,165,985,574.06
*Valentine Obienyem is the media aide to former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State
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