AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has warned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State against diverting the 55-million-euro French Government concessional loan secured for the rehabilitation of healthcare facilities in the state for election campaign.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organisation insisted that the about 85 billion naira loan, should be targeted at healthcare development and not politics.
Describing the timing of the loan as suspicious, it expressed concern over reports that the state government constituted a committee to determine how the funds would be spent.
In addition, the statement questioned the state government’s plan to raise a 200-billion-naira bond to refinance existing debts.
It called for full disclosure of the loan’s terms, disbursement schedule, contractors, procurement process, implementation timeline and beneficiary hospitals.
Further from that, it urged the Oyo State House of Assembly, civil society groups, healthcare professionals and the media to monitor the utilisation of the funds.
It highlighted the need for functional hospitals, medical personnel, essential drugs and modern equipment in the state rather than embarking on hurried projects or cosmetic renovations of health facilities.
The statement stressed that every loan contracted in the name of the people must channelled accordingly.
