Re: Obaseki’s Unrealistic And Duplicitously Embellished Budget

Mr Chris Nehikhare in this piece reacts to the submission by the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC that the budget proposal of Governor Obaseki for fiscal 2022 is unrealistic and duplicitously embellished

The only takeaway from the childish tantrums of APC in their December 5 statement signed by the Assistant Publicity Secretary who wishes he was the State Publicity  Secretary is that they read the budget. But as usual, they have exhibited crass ignorance, unforgivable deliberate deceit and told barefaced lies. We have told them before and will tell them again, opposition politics is not played by deploying fancy catch phases and words.

How do they expect Edo people to trust them if they can describe the budget proposal that seeks to enhance reforms in government process, stimulate economic prosperity and improve ease of doing business to continuously attract private capital to engender sustainable development  as “completely unrealistic and duplicitously embellished with impractical predications” ? It shows that APC is not just “technically non-existent” as described by one of their leaders, but confirm our assertion and assessment a few weeks ago that just like the bird called Dodo, APC is not just dead in Edo, it is extinct and defunct. 

When we hear the occasional cry for attention from them, we consider it an opportunity to add another nail to their coffin. We owe that to Edo people! 

Edo APC Misfired In N25b Bond And Budget 2022

A few months ago, APC garrulously called the N25b bond a secretly obtained loan. Irresponsible as the statement was, we educated them on the process and procedure. Obviously, APC lacks understanding and comprehension and they have once again brought it up. And once again, we will school them! 

The N25bn Bond proceeds is in the custody of trustees, in line with regulations. 

In putting the Bond documentation together (for regulatory approval), benefiting projects and related amounts were identified, all adding up to the N25bn. 

disbursements are made by Trustees directly to relevant entities implementing each project upon certification by independent consultants appointed by the Trustees. This process is not open to influence or manipulation by any individual/entity (let alone EDSG).

By the end of (Financial Year) FY2021, N21bn would have been disbursed (by the Trustees) from the N25bn, leaving a balance of N4bn to be disbursed in FY2022.

Edo APC Lied On Parameters For 2022 Budget

In a futile attempt to sound knowledgeable, APC also manufactured lies saying “The proposal includes water, which is non-existent and which the government has never attempted to provide anywhere in the state, for N1.2billion” Edo people know and acknowledge  that Governor Obaseki in his 1st term (in conjunction with the EU), embarked on an initiative to make pipe borne water available to residents in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts at affordable rates. This program has so far culminated in the reticulation of all properties in Uromi town. Meters are currently being installed and commissioning is expected to be in the first quarter of 2022. 

Simultaneously, detailed feasibility studies are being carried out at existing and defunct water schemes in Edo Central and North (Ugbalo, Ewohimi, Ojirami, Auchi). The studies will entail water consumer enumeration and mapping all Wards to the water schemes to ensure no resident in these two districts are left out. The feasibility study will enable appropriate government intervention and private sector participation. The costs of these studies is being paid for by the Bond! 

It’s a shame that APC call proposals for social and youth development, technology enhancement, effective fiscal and business-friendly regulatory policies as spurious and padded! Be advised that we are talking about the next generation not the next election. It is crystal clear that Edo and its people are too sophisticated to be put in the hands of short sighted, self centered, ignorant, irresponsible and clueless lot that have found themselves in the APC. 

Reaction To Budget Shows Why Edo APC Should Go To School

We therefore advise APC to take their time and do some soul searching and also commit resources to studying about the requirements and demands of their new role as the opposition party in Edo State.

Playing opposition politics requires some tact and intelligence, which APC is clearly lacking, as can be seen in the shallow and infantile reasoning in their statement. 

At this juncture, the public is advised to be wary of APC anti-people rhetoric and once again, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is advised to stop making spurious, irresponsible and unsubstantiated claims.

Governor Godwin Obaseki and PDP will continue to deliver on good and strategic governance! 

The Resetting Edo Agenda is causing serious discomfort for APC.

Edo Must Move Forward!

Signed

Chris Osa Nehikhare 

SPS PDP EDO STATE 

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