Fashola & Mega Corruption: The True Face Of Lagos (1)

We are tax payers resident in Lagos who are desperately desirous of accountability since taxes have recently become major revenue of Lagos State government

We are tax payers resident in Lagos who are desperately desirous of accountability since taxes have recently become major revenue of Lagos State government. In the developed societies where a similar revenue regime operates, associations such as ours have acted as Government watchdogs, which is why some of us have decided to take up the gauntlet of championing the cause of taxpayers in the state. After all, if we don't pay our taxes, government can charge and eventually jail us.

In the last ten years, tax revenue has come to constitute about 75 percent of government revenue base, yet, the government never bothers to render account to tax payers in Lagos . In the last three years alone, a colossal sum of 1.1 trillion naira was budgeted by Fashola's government with the government itself affirming that it has consistently recorded a minimum of 75 percent of budget performance out of which 80 per cent came from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). This is 30 percent more than the entire budgets recorded by successive governments between 1992-2007 - a period spanning 15 years.

Today, the total tax revenue of Lagos on a monthly basis hovers between N14 and N17 billion while federal allocations come to N6 billion monthly. This is more than the revenue of seven states put together on a monthly basis. But how has the governor been spending the money? While we note the heavy investments on roads and environmental infrastructure mainly and commendably so, there is the need to question some of the ways the governor has been expending tax money which in our opinion reflects financial recklessness, mismanagement, gross constitutional violations and abuse of office.

Set below are some of the expenditures which the government claimed to have incurred on behalf of 'Lagosians' and which we feel were mere avenues to corruptly enrich some privileged individuals in and out of government and to which the state House of Assembly under the tutelage of 'governor Emeritus' otherwise known as the Lion of Bourdillon has become an accomplice covering up a lot of misdeeds on the part of the executive. Just last week, it was alleged that each member of the House was given a sum of N20million through a lawyer member of the House from the Lagos west senatorial district, the constituency of the governor emeritus himself. When this was about to be leaked to the press, the Lion of Bourdillon used his powerful media contacts through two of his former aids who are media chieftains to suppress the leakage. Were this not to be the case, we would have otherwise sent these complaints to the House of Assembly.

But since we no longer trust this pliant House of Assembly, we have decided to go public with the following:
1. Last year, Fashola (BRF) gave N250 million to Rotimi Akeredolu led Exco of NBA for the NBA conference held in Lagos, at a time when Lagos teachers and doctors were on strike for improved welfare package.

2. The BRF government within 6 months, January to June 2009 spent N420 million on hiring of private security to guard him despite his heavy investment in the Police Force through the State Security Trust Fund.

3. BRF spent N1.5 billion to demolish the Bank of Industry (BOI) building, paying a company introduced by one Tunji Olowolafe in cash transfer only for him and his cronies to claim the land adjacent to it.

4. BRF government awarded part of Western Avenue (Funsho Williams Road), about two kilometres road for N7.7 billion just between Abalti Barracks and Costain. Without the construction of any bridges, the project was carried out by Julius Berger. This project must certainly be investigated.

5. Between January and June 2009, the BRF government claimed to have fuelled 225 vehicles in his office alone with N135 million. These figures amount to about N800, 000 per day, at a time that petrol was sold for N65 per litre and government always gets it cheaper, but BRF claimed to have bought it at N85 per litre.

6. Also between January and June 2009, BRF's Chief of Staff and PAs expended N290 million in sending TEXT Messages and phone CALLS on their lines.

7. It is also very sickening to know that the BRF government awarded the construction of a road and drains inside Gbagada General Hospital for over N1.8 billion to the same Tunji Olowolafe's company (DEUX Projects Limited).

8. The sum of 1.5 billion of un-appropriated funds, without approval was claimed to have been spent on demolition of Oshodi.

9. The Helicopter Deal was a big fraud. The helicopter was not built for any kind of emergency evacuation, rescue or to even combat urban fire. Over N5 billion has been spent on the two helicopters. The seal of Lagos State is not on it and it is not even in Lagos but in the Niger Delta making money for some private people in government. The whole helicopter deal stinks to high heavens; it constitutes the biggest governmental fraud of all times and confirms the rot in the State. See ThisDay December 19, 2009

10. The SSA (Media) to BRF spent N183 million in 6 months on press coverage and on editors outside the approved budget but funded directly from the Governor's Office.

11. In a State where children are sitting on the floor in classrooms, where unemployment is rampant and poverty pervasive, BRF paid a lady wife of a controversial pastor over N600 million in two years for Xmas Decorations for about six streets in Lagos.

12. In six months between January and June 2009, BRF spent on several faceless organisations, subventions, grants and donations and they quickly pocketed N2 billion.

The Ripping Off Of Lagos- Essential Details
1. The BRF government recklessly increased and paid over 60 percent increase on the LASU IBA road awarded by the Bola Tinubu government for N6.2 billion but was jerked up to N10 billion less than two weeks that BRF came on board.

2. Also, the Tinubu administration awarded the construction of City Hall for N2.3 billion. BRF only changed the floor tiles to marble tiles and increased the contract sum to N5.2 billion. This project was increased by 126 per cent.

3. Publishing of INDICATOR Magazine, is falsely presented to the public as a private magazine but is actually co-ordinated by Tunji Olowolafe and Hakeem Bello, SSA (Media) to BRF with government money.

4. BRF recently gave a media-related Permanent Secretary, and some others the sum of N100 million to do a soap opera on himself. They are presently in London recording the film.

5. The BRF government has failed woefully in the area of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in three years. Yet, BRF is paying the PPP boss in Lagos State N2 million per month in violation of the Constitution, when even commissioners recognised by the Constitution are receiving N300,000 per month. The PPP guy is the highest paid government official presiding over a non-performing and failed parastatal.

6. The Beautification Programme of Fashola administration is reeking with corruption. In a State where there is no water, where over 90 percent of the roads in Lagos are in a deplorable state of disrepair, he is spending over N13 billion on planting grass and flowers. Most of the money was spent to import palm trees from Niger Republic, a sahel region belt when Lagos is in the rain forest which explains why most of them have dried up,

7. Also, it is important to note that the renovation of classrooms of usually 12 blocks plus one which was done for N26 million by the Tinubu administration up till 2007 was increased to N53 million with the collaboration of the housing commissioner who is supervising projects in the education ministry.

8. CCTV project was awarded to BRF's relation who claimed to be acting for CISCO. The contract was awarded for $62 million dollars, while the rejected quotation for the contract was $30 million. It is important to note that this is only a pilot scheme.

9. BRF's wife travels abroad once bi-monthly and takes N30 million per trip from the State coffers, apart from her monthly running cost.

10. The mother of all rip offs is the award to DEUX PROJECT LIMITED, a company owned by the powerful Tunji Olowolafe 11 out of 19 contracts in the Lagos State Ministry of health between January and August 2009. Out of N5.6 billion contract in the Ministry of Health, Olowolafe alone collected N5.1 billion worth and was paid 70 percent upfront in cash.

Other Questions
1. Why did BRF divert N1.85 billion in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to a project that was not originally provided for in the budget and promptly awarded to Olowolafe?

2. Why is the Lawyer in BRF's administration illegally deducting funds from the statutory allocation of the Local Governments in Lagos State?

3. Why was the Mayegun Scheme sold to Olowolafe and other friends and cronies against public interest without any independent valuation by relevant agency of government? Why is the size of the scheme shielded in secrecy? Why was N5.2 billion for which the land was sold untraceable? Where is the over N2 billion loan borrowed to sand-fill the place? What is the fate of the Tourism and Art-craft sellers chased away from the place?

4. Pinnacle why did the governor and his cronies engage in questionable transfer of 400 hectares of land to Pinnacle, South Africa, when it is known that the company is almost bankrupt and the ABSA Bank now owns over 60 percent of the Company. What nature of PPP is this? The world is watching!

5.Why was the illegal sand-filling of about 1 km in the Badagry Marina awarded for N1.5 billion out of which N700 million has been paid yet the contractors and the Tourism Ministry have completely destroyed all the historical relics and artefacts in the area? It has also created an environmental disaster for West Africa because of greed. It appears the Commissioner has been settled.

Fashola And Constitutional Violations
1.Flagrant and deliberate disregard for the Appropriation law passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly, in violation of Section 120 of the 1999 Constitution.

2. Criminal diversion of funds without due approval of the Lagos State House of Assembly, in further violation of Section 120 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

3. Indiscriminate award of contracts without due process, without following the laid down financial regulations as well as the public procurement guidelines. The payment of such contracts is in violation of Part (E) Section 120(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

4. Most Ministries, Departments, Parastatals sometimes do not know when contracts are awarded in their names and for what purpose, they only find out later and they don't know when payments to contractors are made by the State Treasury Office. This is in further violation of Section 121(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

5. Illegal and unwarranted deductions from the statutory Allocation of the local governments. This is in direct contravention of Public Revenue Provision of the 1999 Constitution and in violation of Section 162 sub-section 6, 7 and 8.

6. Opening of illegal and unconstitutional Dedicated Accounts which is contrary to the provision of the 1999 Constitution and which Revenue Monitoring Agency is unaware of. This act is in direct violation of Section 120(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

7. Office of the Chief of Staff which is unknown to the Constitution has more staff than any other Ministry in Lagos State . This violation is very grave as it is in direct breach of the Governor's Oath of Office in the 7th Schedule of the 1999 Constitution Section 13 and a gross violation of Sections 192, 193 and 208(2d) of the 1999 Constitution.

8. Indiscriminate borrowing by the Ministry of Finance without legislative approval, which the Finance Commissioner calls Bridging Loans, is a grave assault on Fiscal Federalism, a coup against Financial Regulations and a shameful and criminal violation of Section 120(1), (2), (3) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution.

9. Concentration of over 70 per cent of Lagos State Government contracts in the hands of one Tunji Olowolafe. This is the clearest indication of the betrayal of trust by Governor Fashola, it is against the Oath of Office he swore to, it is a violation of Sections 14(4), 15(5) and 17(2a) of the 1999 Constitution on which social objective of a just, free and equitable social order is founded.

10. Arbitrary use of Special Expenditure Vote for activities not originally provided for under the Appropriation Law. This is a further betrayal of Fiscal Federalism and a violation of provisions of Section 120(3) and (4), and Section 123(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

11. Payment of 70per cent up-front to persons and cronies for contracts not yet executed. Similarly, this is a contravention of Section 120(4) of the 1999 Constitution.

12. Giving arbitrary donations to selective professional associations and faceless organisations for acting as sycophants without appropriate authorisation by relevant constitutional bodies. This is a clear violation of sections 120(4) and 123 of the 1999 Constitution

13. The fraudulent purported acquisition of 2 Bell 412 EP Series Helicopters from a Canadian firm constitute a flagrant violation of Section 123(1) and (2) and Section 120(4) of the 1999 Constitution.

14. Furthermore, the award of contract of courts and other Judicial Infrastructure as well as procurement for the Judiciary in Lagos State by the Attorney-General, Tunji Olowolafe and Governor Fashola is in gross violation of Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution.
In all these aberrations, the Lagos State House of Assembly has kept mute, and the House has become inept, archaic, drab, docile and inefficient. All the noise by Mr. Speaker about accountability and probity be only to enable house members line their pockets and feed fat on the sweat and toil of the people of the state?

Is it also true that they have been given their own share of the loot, they are maintaining undignified silence over the report of the ad hoc committee set up to look into the books and activities of the Lagos State Government pursuant to Section 103 of the 1999 Constitution with powers expressly provided in sections 1a, b(i) and (ii), as well as Section 129 1 a b c and d.

We are aware that the report has been submitted since November 2009, so why is the Lagos State House of Assembly still sitting on the report? This is just a tip of the ice berg of financial recklessness by the Lagos executive led the seemingly performing Governor Fashola! More soon.

* By Tunde George & Kasali Martins


http://nationalpointonline.com/nponline/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1699&cntnt01returnid=15

Is Fashola indeed a Saint?

If this is true then it is a big pity.

tpia.:

look, make una carry una joblessness go.

No be today Nigerians don dey cook up stories to smear the character of hardworking leaders.

You are not dealing with harebrained children here, although of course na your type go swear human beings turned to cats, dogs and elephants while you were watching.


then later you start wondering why the entire country has a bad image.

Well, I do not understand you here. If this story is real, then Fashola should bow his head in shame. Lets put sentiments aside. Which Nigerian leader has not soiled his hand one way or the other? Why did Fashola go to court, if his hands were clean? I just pray, this story is not true. Abeg, leave Naija alone. We know ourselves!.

Hardtalk, bros, come, tell me, how much dem dey pay you for dis your propaganda work wey you dey perform for NL? As I dey here so, I dey look for work, me too fit spread lies wella! Make you refer me to your oga, I beg.

Hardtalk:


Well, I do not understand you here. If this story is real, then Fashola should bow his head in shame. Lets put sentiments aside. Which Nigerian leader has not soiled his hand one way or the other? Why did Fashola go to court, if his hands were clean? I just pray, this story is not true. Abeg, leave Naija alone. We know ourselves!.

like i told you before- you're not dealing with harebrained idiots unless you want to prove that's what you are.

since Nigeria is run by gossip, innuendo, smear campaigns and anything but civilized mindsets, is it rocket science to know the likes of you can cook up any type of story in an attempt to ruin someone's image?

No be semi literate you be?

abi na semi illiterate

@poster
judging by the date of your registration with NL - 23/1/10 it is obvious that you are a paid agent of some dark forces to set up an account with NL designed to propagate and contrive some most ridiculous accusations against Fashola. Your mission is to frustrate, truncate and stall the progress of his good administration. I know your type, you are an enemy of yourself who is being given his own flesh for a dinner. You shall not succeed in your nefarous mission in Jesus name. Shioooor

Gekko:

There is not point castigating without making any point. You have not made any point as far as I am concern. No one has the right to speak ill of anyone, except he or she has personal grudge with the person. I am totally disappointed in your post. I am really ashamed of your kind. Really.

tpia.:

like i told you before- you're not dealing with harebrained idiots unless you want to prove that's what you are.

since Nigeria is run by gossip, innuendo, smear campaigns and anything but civilized mindsets, is it rocket science to know the likes of you can cook up any type of story in an attempt to ruin someone's image?

No be semi literate you be?

abi na semi illiterate

Fine, you have every right to run your mouth, but at least I can read and write, and I am semi literate as you say, but what have you said so far, Mr. Full-literate.? I used my semi-literate sense to post these, so that people will read and argue out whether it is a lie, or has element of truth.

Hardtalk:


There is not point castigating without making any point. You have not made any point as far as I am concern. No one has the right to speak ill of anyone, except he or she has personal grudge with the person. I am totally disappointed in your post. I am really ashamed of your kind. Really.

Mr. You brought the ill talk here. And like tpia said, anybody can cook up any amount of lies he/she wishes in Naija.

If you really have something to say, or you have proof beyond reasonable doubt, then let us know so we can prosecute our Governor.

But if you don't have anything meaningful to say, then don't say nothing.

Dr Know:

@poster
judging by the date of your registration with NL - 23/1/10 it is obvious that you are a paid agent of some dark forces to set up an account with NL designed to propagate and contrive some most ridiculous accusations against Fashola. Your mission is to frustrate, truncate and stall the progress of his good administration. I know your type, you are an enemy of yourself who is being given his own flesh for a dinner. You shall not succeed in your nefarous mission in Jesus name. Shioooor

Your own case is even the worst. What makes you feel one is paid agent to truncate any good administration? Have we met before? That is how you people praised Buba Marwa, and even told him to remove his uniform and embrace civilian regime. What happened after he left office, me and you knows how much he stole, and that ruined his career. I guess, whoever posted the same against him in any forum then, must have been castigated like this, but the end justified the means. My friend, do not walk along the path of others. Have your own conscience!.

Abeg, cut the poster some slack. Fashola has used the media expertly as well
to create this all conquering governor image, so he is fair game.

This will help us at least look closely at his work rather than swallow all the 'boli'
that is being peddled wholesale.

another fashola is bad thread

when will black people support positivity

and appreciate what is good?

Hardtalk:


There is not point castigating without making any point. You have not made any point as far as I am concern. No one has the right to speak ill of anyone, except he or she has personal grudge with the person. I am totally disappointed in your post. I am really ashamed of your kind. Really.

thats a lot of hard talk hardtalk.  my image can be interpreted one way or the other, besides i have the right express my self anyway i see fit. Kick rocks!

6.  Also between January and June 2009, BRF's Chief of Staff and PAs expended N290 million in sending TEXT Messages and phone CALLS on their lines.

jan to june equals approximately 180 days. 290 million divided by 180 = N1.6 million per day. how many people are in Lagos? lets assume they call or text 1 million out of estimated over ten million. That makes N1.60 per person per day call/text.

Is that too much considering the kind of response people get from these lines when called.

My people, I am not claiming that Fashola is a saint, I don't even believe he should be in this crazy environment we are, but lets try and analyse these things using our common sense before we jump to conclusions on sensitive issues.

Politicians are full of lies and deceit. they know those things that make people lose their reasoning and become sentimental and emotional. Don't fall for this pls. i don't have time now, I would have analysed those figures one by one and expose the lies.

Peace.

Gekko:

thats a lot of hard talk hardtalk.  my image can be interpreted one way or the other, besides i have the right express my self anyway i see fit. Kick rocks!

Cut that crap, you are not the owner of NL. People have the right to post whatever, so long they can prove the source. Fashola is not a saint. Besides, the thread helps us look critically at what he is doing. Personally, Fashola is my governor, and will remain so until, I feel other wise. I wonder why people are worshipping Fashola. Let us know what is happening to our taxes.

ziga:

Mr. You brought the ill talk here. And like tpia said, anybody can cook up any amount of lies he/she wishes in Naija.

If you really have something to say, or you have proof beyond reasonable doubt, then let us know so we can prosecute our Governor.

But if you don't have anything meaningful to say, then don't say nothing.

Another Fashola worshipper!.

@@@@@@@@@

QUESTIONS BEGGING FOR ANSWER!!!!!!

and all they could write is

watching!!!!

Ask old governors same questions then come back to fasholas issues later

ziga:

Mr. You brought the ill talk here. And like tpia said, anybody can cook up any amount of lies he/she wishes in Naija.

If you really have something to say, or you have proof beyond reasonable doubt, then let us know so we can prosecute our Governor.

But if you don't have anything meaningful to say, then don't say nothing.

Indeed, another Fashola follower, waka make I pass jare. I have nothing against Fashola, but all these are begging questions, seeking answers, even if the write-up is full of lies, let someone please help us. We know how much people pay as taxes on monthly basis. In fact, N14billion as confirmed by Fashola, is no small money in our economy bro!.

so because N14 billion chicken change was paid in taxes, you now consider yourself qualified to sit down and start running mouth over how to run a state.

Ever heard of fiscal matters and do you see why I mentioned semi literate and half illiterate earlier?

tpia.:

so because N14 billion chicken change was paid in taxes, you now consider yourself qualified to sit down and start running mouth over how to run a state.

Ever heard of fiscal matters and do you see why I mentioned semi literate and half illiterate earlier?

You call 14 billion chicken change

for a state like Lagos, N14 billion naira is chicken change and certainly not something every tom manliness and harry should start maligning people over anyhow.

How much do you think it costs to run a state like that?

Go to any rural state in Nigeria and see if N14 billion will cover the basics there.

Hardtalk:


Indeed, another Fashola follower, waka make I pass jare. I have nothing against Fashola, but all these are begging questions, seeking answers, even if the write-up is full of lies, let someone please help us. We know how much people pay as taxes on monthly basis. In fact, N14billion as confirmed by Fashola, is no small money in our economy bro!.

Who will help you!!!

After helping you finish, you go come turn around start to dey accuse dem.

Abeg, make you go siddon if you no fit make sense for ya accusations jare. Me sef fit siddon for my computer type out nonsense numbers and claims.

tpia.:

for a state like Lagos, N14 billion naira is chicken change and certainly not something every tom manliness and harry should start maligning people over anyhow.

How much do you think it costs to run a state like that?

Go to any rural state in Nigeria and see if N14 billion will cover the basics there.

Value is relative so we can go on forever. But I don't think
it is too much to ask to ask of an elected officer to account
for how public funds are spent.

Ask last governor of lagos what he did for lagos ,measure it ,and talk about fashola

doyin13:

Value is relative so we can go on forever. But I don't think
it is too much to ask to ask of an elected officer to account
for how public funds are spent.

its not a hungry, brown envelope, crooked journalist who will "ask how public funds are spent" in a privately funded smear campaign.

If you have any question about how public funds are spent, go through the right channels like they do in civilized countries.

This type of smear tactic is nothing new to Nigeria and getting old fast.


For heaven's sake, the man already said he's not interested in a second term- its people who say they want him to stay on.

Its not like he wasnt feeding his family before becoming governor.

tpia.:

so because N14 billion chicken change was paid in taxes, you now consider yourself qualified to sit down and start running mouth over how to run a state.

Ever heard of fiscal matters and do you see why I mentioned semi literate and half illiterate earlier?

My brother, you need not call anyone semi-illiterate, because those who do so, are addressing themslves. N14billion monthly, is no small money for our economy. How many states in this federation has raised N14billion monthly? Have you been made to pay for business permit, parking permit, radio permit, tv permit, advert permit, development levy, income tax, and all the above listed, and some not remembered. Have you been made to pay for all these, and even twice as it is in Lagos? Paying for all the listed is not the issue, but have you paid nearly all the above listed, to local govt council, state government, and sometimes to federal government?.

When you are doubled-taxed, and at the end of the day, you see little development, it is very painful. Ask your brothers at Alaba, and they will tell you how life is, in Lagos. Say something reasoning, at least, you are full-literate.

^^ if your brothers at alaba arent getting market due to the global economic downturn, is Fashola expected to work a miracle which even Obama cant do, just because people are paying taxes which irresponsible past govts allowed them to skip in the first place?


Lagosians not paying the required taxes has helped lagos exactly how in the past? Is it the overcrowding that helped them? The various nasty photos of gutters and slums being bandied all over the web for a global audience?


If you dont like lagos then move elsewhere.

I've said this times without number.

small time na una go dey post photo showing nasty looking houses and uncoordinated zones.