By Bashir Ashura.
The realities on ground in Kwara State paint a bleak picture of the current administration led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. It is painfully that the state is retrogressing under his leadership, despite the enormous financial resources that have been allocated to it. This situation has prompted a need to evaluate the effectiveness of Governor Abdulrazaq’s tenure and its impact on the people of Kwara State.
The current state of affairs in Kwara under the administration of Governor Abdulrazaq is becoming increasingly concerning. The promises made during the campaign period seem to have been forgotten, and the lack of a substantive manifesto continues to add to the disillusionment of the populace.
The administration’s record in infrastructure development is questionable at best. Large sums have been spent on the repair of potholes, with no visible results to show for the expenditure. This raises questions about the competence of those tasked with these projects and the transparency of resource allocation. Is it a case of insufficient skills or a divergence of resources from their intended purpose?
The Abdulrazaq administration seems to be riding on the coattails of the past PDP administration’s achievements rather than carving out its own path. Especially in the area of education, a sector in which the previous administration had made significant strides.
The much-touted school feeding program in the metropolis seems to have all but disappeared. The rise in crime rates and criminality in the metropolis pose a threat to the safety of our school environments. Again, this administration dismissed 2,141 teachers, leaving many schools without adequate staff.
Even when training programs are organized for teachers still in employment, there are allegations of corruption and poor incentive structures. This is detrimental to the motivation of the teachers and ultimately affects the quality of education provided to the students.
The lack of necessary facilities in schools, coupled with the hike in PTA levies to 1450 Naira in public schools and the procurement of 5,700 non-functional teacher-tablets, paints a grim picture of the state of education in Kwara under the APC administration.
Between 2011 and 2019, Kwara State recorded an internally generated revenue (IGR) of #144,483,754,487.05 under the leadership of Governor AbdulFatai Ahmed Magida. During this period, the administration was able to initiate and complete a number of developmental projects and infrastructures that positively impacted the citizens of Kwara State.
Fast forward to 2023, under the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the state has received #116,604,056,961.42 as IGR from 2020 to 2023. This figure, though lower than what Governor Magida received, is still a substantial amount that, if well utilized, could have a significant impact on the development of the state.
However, it is disheartening to note that despite the huge allocation, Kwara State under Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq seems to be regressing. There are no notable achievements to show for the enormous resources that have been pumped into the state during his tenure. This raises a question: what exactly is the problem with the current administration?
In previous opinion articles, I have outlined the shortcomings of Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration, particularly his neglect of the welfare of the citizens of Kwara State. The situation has deteriorated to the point where Kwarans now live in fear due to the escalating security issues. One cannot ignore the fact that security vehicles have been converted for personal use under his watch.
The question begging for an answer is, where are the security vote allowances going to? Governor Abdulrazaq should take a leaf from the book of Governor Adeleke of Osun State, who openly declared that security votes would be used to tackle insecurity in the state. It is this type of transparency and accountability that Kwara State is sorely lacking under the current administration and infact the Governor was Alleged of failure to pay 18 months salaries of the Community Police Constables recruited by the state government in 2021 despite the availability of Security votes.
The call now is for Governor Abdulrazaq to reassess his approach to governance. The first step is prioritizing key sectors such as education, health, and security. This can be achieved by:
1. Ensuring transparency and accountability in all government projects. This will not only ensure adequate resource allocation but also build trust in the administration.
2. Revamping the education sector by rehiring qualified teachers and improving their working conditions to motivate them. The school feeding program should also be reinstated and properly managed to ensure it reaches the intended beneficiaries.
3. Implementing effective crime prevention strategies and enhancing the security infrastructure in the metropolis to ensure a safe learning environment for students.
4. Facilitating investments in health and other social amenities to improve the overall quality of life in Kwara.
Tere is an urgent need for Governor Abdulrazaq to roll up his sleeves and effect the necessary changes. Kwara deserves better, and it is high time this administration steps up to deliver on its campaign promises.
The future of Kwara State is at stake and it is high time Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq rolled up his sleeves to restore the lost glory of the state. The people of Kwara State deserve better and it is the responsibility of the governor to ensure that the resources of the state are efficiently utilized for the benefit of all Kwarans. It is time for a change in Kwara State, a change that will bring about the desired development and progress. The future of the state should not be mortgaged for short term gains; it’s simply unfair to the people.
