From Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
The Peoples Democratic Party National New Media Group (PDP-NNMG), Ekiti State chapter, has accused the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, of plotting to throw the State into another round of debt, revealing that the governor was about taking N5 billion loan from a new generation bank.
State Coordinator of the PDP-NNMG, Bola Agboola, in a statement on Wednesday, said the N5 billion loan, processing of which was already at advanced stage, is to be repaid in 15 years at N58 million per month.
The PDP group accused that Governor Fayemi was already threading the same path like his first tenure, noting that the governor was also seeking an unspecified amount as loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
It said; “It is on record that the loans and bonds taken by Fayemi when he was governor between 2010 and 2014 are still being repaid by the State Government till date. It was these debts that hampered most of the development efforts of the Ayo Fayose led PDP government and caused irregular payment of workers salaries.
“Despite receiving billions as Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P) fund and N46.4 billion from the Excess Crude Account, Fayemi took N25 billion bond and N31 billion commercial bank loan. One of such frivolous loans was the N5 billion obtained from Ecobank without the Debt Management Office (DMO) approval, using Fountain Holdings Limited, a company with N15 million share capital.
“Apart from loans, in 2014, Fayemi also left unpaid warrants of N15.5 billion; debt to road contractors to the tune of N21.3 billion outstanding remittances to FG N709.9 million totaling and State Public Servants Outstanding Emoluments of N5.1 billion.
“As Governor the second time, Fayemi is on the verge of plunging the State to another round of debt by taking N5 billion loan, payable in 15 years when he will be 69 years and at home, enjoying his loots.”
While calling the attention of Ekiti people to the governor’s fresh plot to mortgage the State, the PDP-NNMG said it was immoral and wrong for governors to be allowed to borrow beyond their tenure, adding that; “If Fayemi is going to take loans, it should be such that must be repaid before the end of his tenure.”