CONTROVERSIAL TRACTORS' PROCUREMENT: Questions Osun Govt Must Answer - APC

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned the people of the state to be wary of the antics of Governor Ademola Adeleke over controversial tractors which his government are bandying around to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, particularly the hardworking farmers in the state.

Some days ago, the Osun public were startled to see weird and berserk display of 31 tractors along some streets in Osogbo, the state capital, by the handlers of the state government - a development taking place a clear one month after the governor, through his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, had announced that 72 of 114 such tractors were already in custody in the state. 

Two of the tractors had a forceful stopover around Igbona area of the state capital, an incident speculated to be mechanical fault of the touted newly procured equipment.

The vacuous road show created by Governor Adeleke with the tractors wasn't necessary as it further confirmed the suspicion of the people of the state that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration is up to a sinister game with the issue of the tractor procurement.

First of all, Governor Adeleke should apologize to the people of the state for lying to them and taking them for granted as to the number of tractors received by the state as at when the disclosure was made last month. 

It is disheartening to note that only 31 tractors were unveiled yesterday, as against 72 earlier parroted by the governor and his lying machines. The governor, by his unspeakable action, did not only betray the trust of the citizens, but also reduced the respect due to his office and person in the estimation of the public.  

As if the falsity of the actual number of the tractors purchased was not enough, the public, most especially the enthusiastic farmers, were shocked to the marrow when they were confronted with the news of having had to wait for more time to conclude "all necessary administrative procedures" before the tractors were released to them.

The gloomy revelation fuelled further suspicion that the state government did not purchase the tractors as being claimed, but only facilitated a business transaction that would make Osun farmers purchase the tractors on hire-purchase and instalment-payment basis. 

Given the situation, there is a need for the state government to make clarification on the raging speculation having regard that only N3.7 billion is provisioned for Agriculture in the 2024 budget.

When the total allocation for the Agriculture Sector in 2024 is merely N3.7 billion, how did the government come about spending N10 billion in procuring tractors and farming inputs?

The government must clear the rumour relating to the procurement of the tractors. Here are the questions the government must answer to shed light on the controversial purchase:

1. Is it true each tractor (with full implements) cost N70 million having regard that N8 billion was splashed on 114 tractors?

2. If NO, how much did each tractor ( with full implements) cost?

3. How many tractors were ordered by the state government?

4. How many tractors have been fully paid for? 

5. How many tractors have been received and in the custody of the state government? 

6. When is the exact date the state would take full possession of the awaiting tractors?

7. What is the brand name/specification of the tractors? 

8. Who is/are the supplier(s) of the tractors? 

9. When (exact date) will the state government distribute the available tractors to farmers, farmers' cooperative associations or agriculture agencies in the state?

10. Are the tractors being given to the farmers on a rent-basis, hire-purchase or other finance leasing plan?

The Osun State Government must dispel the disturbing rumour gaining wind among the farmers and Osun public that the tractors were merely hired for show-boating to score cheap popularity or the government is foisting substandard tractors on the farming population at insanely outrageous prices.

We, in the the APC, are hoping that the plight of the Governor Adeleke tractors would not go the way of a fleet of Racer Daewoo cars that flooded the state during the governorship election 33 years ago but mysteriously vanished immediately after the end of the election.

e-SIGNED:

Chief KOLA OLABISI, Director, Media and Information,

Osun State APC