By Mohammed Mohammed
With the intent though to harvest more votes in the forthcoming November 16 elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States,
the All Progressives Congress (APC), has again turn the heat on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the $460 million loan it took from China for the Abuja Close Circut Television (CCTV) project.
Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, according to a statement, he signed, said the recent disclosures by the finance minister, Zainab Ahmed that the current administration continues to service a $460 million loan taken from China to fund a phony Abuja CCTV contract is a reminder why Nigerians must continue to reject the opposition party at all levels of government.
He avered that the alleged fraudulent CCTV contract was awarded in August 2010.
“Lest we forget the $16billion spent on power with no electricity; fuel subsidy rackets; counter-insurgency funds that were diverted and shared to political cronies; a phoney gas supply and processing agreement which has left the current administration contesting a $9.6 billion judgment debt, among other corrupt schemes and heists perpetuated by consecutive PDP administrations during its 16 years rule.
“The good news is that those dark days of willful waste, procurement/contract frauds and institutionalised corruption are behind us. The Buhari administration is progressively and aggressively instilling financial discipline, prudence, curbing leakages and ensuring probity in the way government conducts its business.’ he said.
According to him, the execution of the ongoing national infrastructure projects are a sharp departure from the past where contracts were awarded and cash-backed yet poorly executed or not executed at all.
He added that today, Nigerians are getting full value for every kobo released for public works. Our public resources are now being rightly deployed to address our national infrastructure needs, social investments and other initiatives that directly benefit the people, he stressed.
On the coming November 16 election, he said: “We must not fall prey to the rapacious PDP again.
“We should be wary of whatever promises PDP is making ahead of the ballots in both Bayelsa and Kogi – a leopard cannot change its spots. Profilgacy and corruption are in the PDP’s DNA.
“We must continuously strive to elect progressive governments at all levels, if we are to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams.
“APC urges Nigerians to continue its support for the President Buhari administration’s campaign to end profligacy and restore probity, efficiency, and transparency in our national life.”