Debt of N155bn was left by Fayose - Governor Fayemi

Ekiti state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday, January 24, said former governor Ayodele Fayose left a total debt profile of over N155.79 billion for the state. 

This is as the governor signed into law, the N129.9bn state budget for 2019, as part of events to mark his 100 days in office.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the governor said while giving account of his stewardship in Ado Ekiti, that the debt profile included local loans and other debts.

Legit.ng gathers that he gave the breakdown of the debts as; loans, N57.694 billion; unpaid salary arrears, N16.777 billion; outstanding leave bonus to workers, N4.402 billiin; pension and gratuity arrears, 39.775 billion; outstanding corpers’ allowance, N28.883 million.

Others are; outstanding subventions to institutions, N4.770 billion; outstanding contractors’ claims, N28.575 billion; outstanding furniture allowance, 470.2 million; outstanding severance allowance, N586.144 milliin; monetized vehicle arrears, N101.243 million: outstanding warrants, N386.777 million, outstanding FIRS obligation; N184.2 million, traditional rulers arrears, N150.214 million; judgment debts, N95.214 million, and other outstanding liabilities of N1.792 billion.

Fayose had, however, dismissed the claim as frivolous and evasive. 

Fayose’s media assistant, Lere Olayinka said in Ado Ekiti that the claim was a “spurious” claims by the governor to cover-up alleged failure by his government to embark on any meaningful project since assuming office.

The former governor, however, failed to state how much he left as debt for the state. 

On his part, Fayemi insisted that his administration inherited a state that was in total chaos, with a people severely disoriented under a “suppressive government that had raised and promoted deceit into a statecraft”.

He said: "The last 100 days have clearly shown to us, in a very practical manner, that with clarity of vision, the resolve to push through and the unflinching support of the people, there are endless possibilities in our capacities to steer our state on the path of progress.

“Despite the meager resources at our disposal, we are meticulously delivering on our promises to the people through our various short, medium and long term socio-economic intervention programmes

“We must examine our tortuous path with a view to charting a new course for a prosperous destination, not only for us, but also for our unborn children." 

The governor condemned borrowing to finance what he called “white elephant project” by the past administration, describing it as unproductive, self serving and grossly unpatriotic.

He explained that the many success stories recorded by his administration within a spate of 100 days in office was made possible as a result of his genuine resolve to serve the people diligently and passionately.

He called on all Ekiti people for support and cooperation for the administration to build on the gains of the past three months. 

Fayemi said: “All hands must be on the deck to move Ekiti forward economically, socially and politically.

“I also enjoin you all to keep supporting us, especially in the areas of tax payment and selfless suggestions on how to jointly move Ekiti State forward.”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng the people of Ekiti was assured by the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, that his administration would not abandon projects inherited from previous administrations in the state.

Fayemi, according to a press release by his chief press secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, made the disclosure during his tour of the Gifted Academy built by his predecessor, Ayodele Fayose, on Wednesday, November 7.

The governor stated that though he may not agree with the rationale behind his predecessor’s establishment of some projects, abandoning them would amount to wasting the resources of Ekiti state. He explained that the aim of the tour was to get a comprehensive assessment of all projects.