SPENDING N2BN ON FOREIGN TRAVELS WITHIN 9 MONTHS UNACCEPTABLE – PDP TELLS GOV ABDULRAZAQ

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has lambasted Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for squandering N2billion of state’s funds on fruitless foreign trips in just nine months, saying these trips have yielded no benefits for the state and its people.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olushola, the PDP said it was unfortunate and thoughtless that a governor would choose to waste public funds on frequent foreign travels at a time when a vast majority of his people are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship.

It said from findings, Governor Abdulrazaq had spent about N5billion on junkets to foreign countries the last two years without anything to show for it.

“It is unacceptable that a governor, especially of a state with 48% poverty rate and where G-Level 8 civil servants earn a meager ₦75,000 monthly under the 419-minimum wage arrangement which is the poorest in the North Central region, would lavish billion of public funds on fruitless foreign travels.

“More disturbing is the fact that these trips have yielded no tangible benefits for the state and her people. Despite his frequent globetrotting, Abdulrazaq has not attracted a single foreign investment into the last three years as confirmed in a latest report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, NBS. It shows he has no capacity to lure foreign investors to Kwara.

“it is unfortunate that despite not being able to attract any investment to the state, Governor Abdulrazaq has been busy ruining the informal sector that remains the bedrock of the state’s economy by destroying local businesses under the guise of urban renewal.

“Our party is disheartened that Governor Abdulrazaq, who should prioritise the welfare of his people, has chosen to squander billions of naira of public funds on junkets while critical sectors such as health, education, rural infrastructure, and security remain unattended to. Kwara’s hospitals suffer from a severe shortage of health workers and infrastructure deficit, educational facilities are collapsing, and insecurity continues to threaten the local economy.

“Governor Abdulrazaq’s penchant for useless foreign travels raises concerns about his priorities and further demonstrates that he is more interested in using public resources to fund his personal adventures than tending to the critical needs of the people. It shows he is completely disconnected from the plight of average Kwarans.

“Civil servants in the state are earning far below a living wage, many of them have tragically lost their lives due to their inability to meet basic needs. Pensioners are left in despair, and the state’s youth remain unemployed, while funds that could have addressed these challenges are frivolously squandered on foreign junkets

“Our party calls on the people of Kwara to keep detailed records of Abdulrazaq’s wasteful spendings and demand accountability from him. The public must continue to ask critical questions about other unresolved financial scandals, such as the whereabouts of the ₦10 billion reportedly kept in an unknown bank account since 2019 and the justification for investing N17.8bn on mere renovation of an hotel.

“We urge anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to closely monitor the reckless expenditure of Kwara’s resources under Governor Abdulrazaq’s leadership and ensure that public funds are used judiciously in the interest of the people.

“As a party, we reiterate that Kwara people deserve a government that listens, cares, and works for the betterment of all, not one that prioritizes personal luxury over the well-being of its citizens.”

Signed:
Olusegun Olusola Adewara
State Publicity Secretary,
Kwara PDP.
December 11, 2024.