Former Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has been exposed by his successor, Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abiodun, Mr Kunle Somorin said;
“Not lesser than N50billion in financial liabilities were not accounted for in the financial report handed over to Governor Dapo Abiodun in May 2019 by former Governor Amosun.”
“The omitted amount is financial liabilities incurred by the immediate past administration due to unpaid pensions, gratuities and outstanding staff salaries which surprisingly were not captured in the books left behind for the new government.”
“We only got to know about this amount in the course of our carrying out due diligence on Ogun State finances shortly after we took over. ”
“And as a transparent government, committed to being accountable, we have to disclose this for the first time, to give a true picture of the State’s indebtedness.”
“Governor Dapo Abiodun has started paying the retirees and pensioners affected, with the first tranche of N500million paid to them last month. Every quarter the governor has promised to pay them at least N500million until everyone is paid.”
“The recent report by the Debt Management Office (DMO, on the state’s domestic debt omitted figures by the immediate past administration in the state had an impact on the DMO report.”
“The increase in the 2020 total debt of the state was due to an undisclosed gratuity and staff liabilities of about N50bn not recognized in the State financial statements in May 2019 at the end of the previous administration.”
“In order to show the complete picture of all State liabilities, the current administration booked the gratuities and staff liabilities in the financial statements of the State hence the increase.”
“Residents and citizens of the State can attest to how Governor Abiodun is completing all the abandoned projects of his predecessor and commencing signature projects and roads.”
“The governor has concentrated on his Building Our Future Together with special attention to Infrastructures, Health, Education and Agriculture.”
“Also, the welfare and security of the people which are the primary functions of Government are equally on the front-burner.”