Prominent traditional rulers in Osun State, including the Ooni of Ife, Alie of Illie, Olowu of Kuta and Eburu of Iba, among others, have lauded Governor Ademola Adeleke for disclosing the state of finances of the state to traditional rulers.
The commendations were sequence to the revelation by the governor that his administration inherited a debt stock of N407.32 billion.
The debt stock was apart from a N18billion-loan Adeleke’s predecessor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, allegedly took after losing out in the governorship election in the state.
Governor Adeleke said his maiden meeting with the traditional rulers across the state, since his inauguration in November, was in line with his campaign promise of running an open and transparent government.
He disclosed that the accumulated debts were in eight categories, noting that repayment period of the debts ranges from 16 months to about 28 years.
“With high sense of responsibility, I am reporting to our people are through our traditional rulers, the total debt profile inherited by my administration from Governor Oyetola’s administration.
“My administration inherited eight outstanding loan facilities, apart from salaries and pension debts, from Governor Oyetola’s administration. The repayment period ranges from 16 months to about 28 years.
“A breakdown of the debts are: Budget Support Facility– N51.8 billion; Salary Bail Out Loan– N38.8 billion; Restructured Commercial Bank Loans– N158.77 billion; Excess Crude Account (ECA) Loan– N14.48 billion; CBN Infrastructure Loan– N9.2 billion; FGN Intervention Loan– N1.7 billion; FGN Bridge Finance Facility– N18.04 billion and Foreign Loans– $86.2 million.
“My good people of Osun State, the total loan stock, as at today is N331.32 billion. If the N76 billion debt on salaries and pension are added, the state is indebted to the tune of N407.32 billion,” Governor Adeleke pointed out.
He also disclosed that the amount allegedly owed contractors by the immediate past administration in the state is yet to be determined.
In a brief remark shortly after the governor’s presentation, the Ooni of Ife, who is the chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan, appreciated the governor for the honour by sharing with the traditional rulers the position of the finances of the state.
The Ooni of Ife, reportedly said Adeleke was the first governor of the state to do such, and was quoted to have said: “For what you have done by involving traditional rulers, you will succeed. We will support you with everything within our reach to navigate this challenge.
“With what you brought here, we will not be far from you and support you with our ideas to ensure you achieve your set objectives for the state.”
The Alie of Ilie, Oba Oladapo Olagunoye Siyanbola, was also said to have charged the governor not to be dissuaded by the situation he met on ground.
The Alie reportedly pledged the readiness of the traditional rulers to offer constructive advise to move the state forward.
“While the disclosure is overwhelming, my advise to you is to remain focus on executing your agenda, and you will always have our support in overcoming this and taking this state forward,” he added.
In his own comment, the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Makama Oyelude, welcomed the disclosure of Governor Adeleke as a good score point in transparency, but however advised him not to be distracted by the situation of things he met on the ground.
He urged the governor to look beyond the unfavourable condition he inherited and see how he can deliver good governance for the Osun people within the available resources.
The Olowu of Kuta was said to have also admonished that Adeleke’s opponents were waiting for his administration to fail, but he must not the failure allow to happen.
The Eburu of Iba, Oba Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye, lauded Governor Adeleke for setting the standard in transparency and accountability by involving traditional rulers with finances of the state.
He reportedly said the governor’s action was indicative of the kind of government he wants to run.
The Eburu of Iba charged the governor to keep to his promise of returning governance to the grassroot, noting that local government administration in his domain under the past administration was nearly non-existent.
In a brief response to the remarks of the monarchs, Governor Adeleke appreciated the obas for their understanding and promised to continue to engage them in matters that affect the state.
“This disclosure is not for political purpose, but was in line with my campaign promise to run an open and transparent government,” he said.
Noting that notwithstanding the distressing condition he inherited, Governor said: “I am assuring you that all my campaign promises will be kept.
“I trust God to support us in achieving our set goals. I have a blueprint and my 100 days programme is already in play.
“I will be meeting with traditional rulers, maybe every quarterly, to brief you of what we are doing and our plans.”
