Emmanuel Thomas
June 21, 2015 – The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to probe former governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, whom the party accused of inability to account for N68bn Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) fund and 80 uncompleted jobs despite a monthly IGR of N23 bn.
The party also called on Ambode to probe the huge local and foreign debt of N960 billion incurred by the Fashola administration.
In a statement, Publicity secretary of the party, Barrister Taofik Gani, describes the developments as bad omen for any meaningful development in the coming four years of this administration.
The party called on Ambode to immediately commence probe of the former governor’s eight years administration. It also accused Ambode of making further promises, when he ought to have hit the ground working to fulfil promises already made.
The party posited that the eight years administration of governor Fashola was characterised by human rights violations coupled with “digital and analogue” styles of stealing public funds that can only be ignored by a successor who is a conspirator-governor.
According to the PDP, the facts that corruption of embezzlement, misappropriation and direct stealing of the state funds can be established in the number of abandoned or uncompleted projects; missing SURE-P funds; flooding due to blocked canals purportedly paid to be cleared; the bogus allowances allocated to Fashola as governor; bogus cost of Falomo bridge; the huge local & foreign debts of N960 bn left behind, to mention a few.
“On behalf of all concerned lagosians, we call on the governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to immediately set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the eight years administration of former governor Fashola.
“The need for this is apt in view of the cases of human rights abuse witnessed during the period, especially perpetrated by the State Task force and KAI officers.
“No doubt the hands of the former governor are not clean considering that inspite the officially corroborated monthly IGR of N27Billion, N9-13 Billion monthly Federal Government allocation; SURE-P Funds; Corporate donations and concessionaires interventions, the former governor yet left office leaving over 85% of his projects and promises unfulfilled.
“Up till now, the former governor cannot categorically explain the whereabouts of over N68bn SURE-P Funds meant for the state. We demand to know!”, the party said.
The party said the bogus cost of the Falomo Bridge must also be probed including the cost of buying over the Lekki-Epe toll.
“Imagine all the canals purportedly contracted to be cleared and channeled are all block. Lagosians are now suffering from consequential flooding. This must be investigated”, it said.
According to the party, Ambode should review or terminate some elephant projects that were initiated by the Fashola’s Administration.
“ Most of the projects are really prodigal and of no relevance to the masses. Example is the huge Lagos funds sunk as partner/investor in the ongoing Eko Atlantic Project.
“Mr. Ambode is administratively, legally and morally compelled to commence these enquiries if only to clear the doubts”, the party said, adding that Lagosians are eager to supply evidence of corruption in the 8 years administration of Fashola.
