THE new governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has revealed that his administration inherited a total debt profile of N407.32bn as at November 30, 2022, just three days after assumption of office.
Hobnob News recalls that Adeleke was sworn-in as the sixth elected Governor of Osun State on Sunday, November 27, 2022.
Adeleke made the disclosure on Thursday during a meeting with traditional rulers in the State led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in Osogbo, the State capital.
“I am pleased to welcome our royal majesties and fathers to this all important event. I called this meeting first to meet our royal fathers and to present to you the official debt profile of Osun state as at November 30th, 2022 as submitted to me by the Accountant General of Osun State.
“With high sense of responsibility, I am reporting to our people through our traditional rulers, the total debt profile inherited by my administration from Governor Oyetola’s administration.
“This event is in pursuance of my pledge to Osun people to be transparent and run an open government.
Bridge Finance Facility of N18.04 billion was taken after July 16, 2022 election which Governor Adegboyega Oyetola lost.
He added that no information on the repayment terms of the loan including Foreign loans totalling $86.2 million.
“Not one kobo of this loan was left in Government Coffers, when the Deputy Governor and I resumed work on Monday 29th November 2022. And no explanation on how the loan was expended.
“My good people of Osun state, the total loan stock as at today is N331.32 Billion.
“If the N76 billion debt on salaries and pension are added, the state is indebted to the tune of N407.32 Billion. The amount owed contractors is yet to be determined.
“The only fund in government coffers, as at Monday 29th November, was for November 2022 Salary. Otherwise, the state treasury was empty.
“As your Governor, I will ask questions on your behalf. And will demand for answers.
“Governor Oyetola must explain how the N331 Billion borrowed in the name of Osun State was expended, with no obvious infrastructural development to justify this huge debt.
“Governor Oyetola must explain how the N18 Billion Bridge Loan taken after he lost the election on July 16, 2022, was expended.
“Governor Oyetola must also explain why Osun state is owing salaries & pension to the tune of N76 Billion after collecting a N50 Billion Salary Bail Out Loan from the Federal Government
“The Creditors, especially the Commercial Banks must explain why various loans were given to an administration beyond its 4 year tenure. 28 years is equivalent to the tenure of at least four Governors. A child that is born today would have earned a PhD at 28 years of age. This is nothing but mortgaging the future of Osun State with nothing to show for it. This is definitely not acceptable,” Adeleke declared.
