One of the major economic loopholes Nigerians lament about is the lack of continuity of government projects by successive leaders. Not a few pundits hold the belief that lack of continuity in government leads to huge waste in resources as monies spent on these largely uncompleted projects are gone down the drain.
Successive governments also have their strong arguments hinged on the outrageous sums allotted to these uncompleted projects awarded to cronies of their predecessor. Some even point out that monies paid to these cronies are enough to finish the uncompleted projects.
All over the country, one can easily point to hundreds of uncompleted projects initiated by past administrations.
However, some keen government observers whispered to people close to them that the lack of continuity is largely as a result of what comes to personal pockets. They claim that since most of the profits on these projects have been claimed by cronies of past administration, giving these contractor more money to complete the uncompleted projects will not benefit actors in current government. Incumbent governments will rather initiate their own projects that will guarantee returns than spending ‘their’ money to empower past leaders’ cronies.
In Kogi state, one will readily recall the public discontent with the administration of then Governor Ibrahim Idris for abandoning key projects initiated by his predecessor, Prince Abubakar Audu. Projects allegedly abandoned by Ibrahim Idris-led government include the promising Confluence Beach Hotel that became moribund under Ibrahim Idris’ nose. Other infrastructures inherited by Ibrahim Idris were left to rot leading to huge economic downturn in the state.
Quite unlike former governors of the state, the incumbent Governor Idris Wada came in and decided to bear the burden of past administrations. He must have read various opinion, articles and analysis of how abandoned projects affects economy.
Wada inherited so many uncompleted projects from his predecessor. These include; The New State Secretariat, Greater Lokoja Water Project, The 25,000-seater Ultra-modern Confluence Stadium, New Highrise Building in Confluence Beach Hotel, Over 26 rural roads among several others.
Most of these inherited uncompleted projects have huge debt burden attached to it. Idris Wada would be elected to abandon these projects but a second look at Kogi State resources that gone into these projects already, he decided to sacrifice his administration by setting out to complete these projects.
A prudent manager of resources, Wada, who came on board when the Federal Government decided not to share excess crude windfall with other tiers of government any longer, had to cope with insufficient funds but that notwithstanding, he has managed to complete most of the uncompleted projects he inherited from past administration. He has since completed and commissioned the New State Secretariat, completed the high-rise hotel building in Confluence Beach Hotel, completed the over 26 inherited rural roads, Confluence Stadium and host of other projects.
This is one of Wada’s major sins that have attracted opprobrium from citizens at home and in diaspora.
Most of his critics hate him passionately for his commitment to complete projects initiated especially by Ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris. Practically, Wada also inherited Ibrahim Idris’ enemies.
A political analyst pointed out recently that if Wada dissociates himself from Ibrahim Idris politically, not a few Kogite will embrace him as a ‘Progressive’. Such is the height of Wada’s sin of continuity and association with the erstwhile governor.
…to be continued
– Abidemi Olalekan, Lokoja
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