By Dare Babatunde
Let me first begin by saying Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye’s appointment as Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor has been the major appointment he got right from his first term. He is a man of many abilities, and at times he makes attempt on topics that are advance, even when he doesn’t fully understand them in defense of his principal. If only his Principal had manage to go to Harvard, when he acts and Ajakaye writes, the world would be careful to engage or disagree with them.
However, we know Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s capacity, and limitations. The rationale behind the renovation of Kwara Hotel is far from William Seward who bought Alaska, now the largest state in the union of America (USA). Till date, people still do not understand and are difficult to convince on “land banking”, which was simply what Seward did. Today, if you buy land in excess, people would focus on why you’re unnecessarily buying lands, when you can only live in one house. Whereas, you’re buying asset. Seward saw and bought Alaska as an “asset”. If the Government of Kwara is attempting to buy Kabba from Kogi State Government, or Mokwa from Niger State Government, the comparison would have been similar, for no Kwaran and Kabba people have complete idea or knowledge of what is totally beneath their ground. Earth produces for itself, Agriculture shaped economies before “rock gold” now known as oil.
Roman Emperors would have bought Alaska too if it was fertile for farming, or waged war for it. Russia that sold Alaska (currently the biggest state by landmass) to the United States of America, is currently the country with the largest landmass in the world, followed distantly by China and Canada. It is also very important to note that Russia is a leading oil producing country in the world, a major actor with influence within OPEC. Therefore, it is not Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye that will define whether the sale of Alaska is a major loss to Russia, a country currently competing for influence, in collaboration with China to put America in check.
The visions, aspirations that led Dubai to greatness didn’t begin with construction of an hotel. Major and significant infrastructures were put in place for people before making it a destination for tourism. A ₦17 Billion Hotel in Ilorin, Kwara, an environment where the most expensive building in Ilorin Metropolis is likely Ilorin Central Mosque. Adam Smith, James Robinson & Daron Acemoglu, Thomas Sowell and countless of Economists and development experts have written books, policies proposals on ending poverty, addressing economic disparities and inequalities. UAE, China and many other countries who surged and progressed from being left behind in development index prosecuted policies along humanitarian goals. Malaysia, Singapore and many countries in Asia first sorted per capital issues and human development index before building hotels for tourism. What is so complex about development and economic growth that you had to journey around the globe to give validity to the renovation of Kwara Hotel with ridiculous sum?
In Abuja, Nyesom Wike with all his flaws understand the need for government to create an environment for private sector to thrive. That is why FCT Administration is not burdening itself with taking total responsibility for Abuja metro line, but infuse reasonable and limited amount of money to ensure take-off, while private sector drives its growth and progression. Why must Kwara State Government bear the entire cost of remodeling? It is a business and there is no evil in partnership and collaboration.
Let us pend the attempt to joggle between ideologies. No legislative approval was communicated? That is brilliant, thank you for letting us know the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, along with other Assembly members do not understand their assignment. I love the fact that they are taking the fall and you’ve given them a ceremonial gown in projecting their incompetence.
Crystal group didn’t bid, and due process was followed? How then were companies that bidded abandoned, in violation of BPP procurement regulations, or did Kwara state government obtain a waiver for Crystal? How come it is Crystal Group that Kwara State House of Assembly nodded to on concession? Are you hinting of a possible crack between the Kwara State House of Assembly and the Executives?
In this job the contractor brings the money? It is the most hilarious thing I have ever heard. Isn’t the Kwara State Government creating a wallet system where contractors will be able to access what they’ve spent on the project? In the end, government money flows for the facility? The right case to say the contractor is bringing the money, is if Kwara State Government is repaying them via value and not money. This is not the case. Government is paying them back. Thus, contractor is doing business, what is the government doing? Also, does wallet system not promote contract inflation or hyper inflation? If Kwara State Government is not paying the contractor over a period of time, how much is the actual value for execution?
A loan of one week and a loan of two years doesn’t carry the same interest rate. We can as well assume it is borrowing, being masqueraded as contractor bringing money? Mr. CPS, this is 21st century, it is impossible to monopolize intelligence or knowledge, not even in an area where you don’t have superiority in knowledge.
There are only two groups that have emerged on Kwara Hotel renovation. Pro-government who have shown that Mr. Governor is not ready to review his steps with this your defense, and other Kwarans who genuinely know and are aware that ₦17 Billion for remodelling of Kwara Hotel is outrageous. Give ₦17 Billion to any serious contractor and engineer, they will build you a solid five star hotel in the very heart of Abuja, the headquarter of elites in this country. Does Kwara State Government think they are communicating with uneducated and unexposed populace?
Radisson Blue is planning to open a branch in Abuja (five star hotel), I doubt they will expend ₦17 Billion to build that branch. They will be building afresh, not remodeling or renovating any old facility. Fraser Suites, another five star hotel in Abuja will find it difficult to be valued for over ₦17 Billion. Sheraton Hotel (now Abuja continental hotel) is not undergoing remodelling or renovation for ₦17 Billion. All the hotels mentioned above are within the Central Business District of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the most expensive place in Nigeria to build or buy a property.
You referenced Cairo, is Cairo not the capital of Egypt, just like Abuja is to Nigeria? Is Ilorin the capital of Nigeria? How many international bodies, private sectors have a branch in Ilorin or Kwara State? Will ECOWAS bring its heads of states to Ilorin rather than the seat of government in Abuja to lodge?
It is not Seward’s folly, it is wastage and extravagant spendings. Mr. Ajakaye, what you did this afternoon is “intellectual duplicity”.
