RE: ONDO BUDGET DOCUMENTS SHOW GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA SETS ASIDE N5 BILLION TO RENOVATE DAYCARE CENTE, BORROWED N18 BILLION IN THREE MONTHS
The attention of the Ondo State Government has been drawn to a publication of Saharareporters.com with the above caption: The Ondo State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget wishes to profoundly appreciate Saharareporters for their diligence and bringing this error to our notice in time.
The Five Billion Naira (N5b) provision was actually meant to reflect the expected drawdown from the Nigerian for Women Project (WORDLD Bank Supported) which had earlier been captured under the Capital Receipts of the document referred to by Saharareporters. The N18 Million reported on the Nigerian for Women Project is meant for the renovation for Daycare Project.
This is a regrettable Printer’s interpolation error that occurred during the process of preparing the document for publication. This error would have remained almost undetectable were it not for the eagle eye by Saharareporters because the Ondo State Budget System is e-based and the correct figures are reflected on the portal as shown below (www.ondobudget.Org).
Hence, at the operational level, this error will not materialize and almost impossible to detect. The Ministry take full responsibility for this error and we have immediately set in motion the machinery to have the error corrected.
We also took note that the report mentioned the sum of N18 Billion loan procured in just three (3) months. This loan is an AFD facility for the reticulation of water from Owena Dam to Akure, Ile-Oluji, Idanre, Ifedore and environs that will provide clean water for about 1.2m people. The project started in 2017 and the N18 Billion mentioned was part of what should have been released to Ondo State in 2023 but was delayed due to stringent of World Bank Process. The said loan has not been assessed as the procurement process according to Word Bank Standards is ongoing
Furthermore, the fund has a separate account, which is not subject to the control of State Officials except those people prior approved by the World Bank before the advent of Governor Aiyedatiwa. The full details of this could be seen in our first Quarter year 2024 Budget Report on https:ondobudget.org/materials/ONDO%20state%20Q1%20BUDGET %20APPRAISAL%20cri.pdf
We look forward to having robust engagement and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders on the journey to making Ondo State a reference point in transparent Budgeting.
Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan,
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning,
Ondo State.
April 30, 2024.
AIYEDATIWA’S N5 BILLION DAY-CARE CENTRE RENOVATION SCANDAL: APOLOGY NOT ENOUGH
It was like a thunderbolt when Saharareporters broke the news that, the government of Hon.Lucky Aiyedatiwa intends to spend a whooping sum of N5 billion to renovate Day-Care Centres in the State as captured in the 2024 appropriation law.
The amount was to buy babycot walkers, toys and beddings. Another N18 billion loan was to be sourced from French Development Agency for provision of water in Akure and environs.
In an attempt to put wool over the eyes of the people, the Ondo State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget in a statement, claimed that the N5 billion was actually “meant to reflect the expected drawdown from the Nigerian For Women Project (World Bank supported)….This is a regrettable printer’s interpolation error that occurred during the process of preparing the document for publication” and that corrective action is underway.
What is regrettable about a document that went through several layers of screening and vetting before being forwarded to the Ondo State House of Assembly? At the Assembly, the House Committee on Appropriation invites government officials who take turns to defend same budget. Is it the case that, nobody spotted these regrettable errors?
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter wishes to state unequivocally that, it was the plan of the Aiyedatiwa government to swindle the people through the Daycare renovation project that was thwarted by the eagle-eyed media.
Therefore, a mere apology is not enough. All those connected with this fraud must be brought to book. The Governor, as a matter of urgency must clear himself to dispel the allegations that, he is desperate to mop up funds from the Ondo State Treasury for the purposes bankrolling his election come November 16.
Our party will not fold its hand and watch the APC and Aiyedatiwa fleece our meagre resources just for the political aspiration of one man, no matter how highly placed.
Kennedy Ikantu Peretei.
State Publicity Secretary, PDP, Ondo State.
