After Delta Line, Okowa Set to Sell Government Houses in Ibadan

Barely two months ago, Deltans raised their concerns over the curious sale of Delta Line to God is Good Motors Limited, a private enterprise which is believed to have been involved as a sponsor of the Governor’s 2015 electioneering campaigns.

It was both curious and suspicious because, Delta Line with over 2000 fleet of buses and about a hundred terminals across the country coupled with the massive goodwill was sold out as a carcass for the paltry sum of N161 Million which is a gross undervalue. This was despite the bid for N2 Billion made by the Nigeria Labour Congress.

In a piece I contributed to this medium, I did urge Deltans to be alert and watchful as this government will go on to sell off the strategic assets and legacies of the state. It seems the prediction has come true.

Recently, it was reported that the Delta State Government has concluded plans to sell off landed properties belonging to the State Government in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a statement, Mr. Paul Osaji, the Chairman, Delta Development Property Authority (DDPA) confirmed that the sale of the buildings was approved by the State Executive Council. Osaji described the four buildings as old and dilapidated, having no rental value.

See full speech by Osaji via this link: https://nationalaccordnewspaper.com/delta-govt-properties-ibadan-waste-says-ddpa-chairman/

This was the same story fed to Deltans as the excuse for the sale of Delta Line. It was said that Delta Line was being run aground and indebted. The media machine of the Okowa administration went full blast and ran amok in a bid to convince Deltans that Delta Line was a carcass which must be sold as such. But Deltans are not deceived.

It is therefore no surprise that this same line is being repeated. It has become the regular trademark.

The truth of the matter is that the government in Asaba frantically wants to hoodwink Deltans once again. In this age of social media and virtual connectivity, information from Ibadan is that the said four properties situated in the highbrow Iganyaku and Molete areas of Ibadan are in a perfect shape. Despite their age, they remain wonderful architectural masterpieces with enormous aesthetic and economic value. They are far removed from the description being portrayed by the Delta State Government. They are not dilapidated neither are their rental value diminished.

To further expose the underbelly and grand deception of the present administration, the DDPA Chairman stated that the proceeds from the sale of the properties will be used to build housing estates for workers. This is to say the least an irony. As the French Philosopher Albert Camus puts it, “the welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants.” How is it possible that four “dilapidated buildings with no rental value” could be sold and enough money raised therefrom to build housing estates? That must be the miracle of the 21st century.

The truth is like the smoke, and cannot for long be buried in the ground. The truth is that at the moment, a buyer, someone in the corridors of power has been positioned to buy up the four properties for a paltry sum of N2 million.

It is an assault on Deltans to sell off the strategic assets of Deltans meant to serve as an economic buffer for future generations. Cover up and outright lies is an insult on Deltans for which the present administration must apologize to Deltans.

It is time for the State House of Assembly, Political Parties and Critical stakeholders to rise up from their lethargy and call the government to order else this trend will continue.

God forbid that a day will come when the Delta State University, our public Hospitals and indeed the Government House will be sold to the friends and business partners of the Governor.

All rights reserved © Asaba Metro.  Permission to use this publication (The Periscope) is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to the Author Favour Chukwunoyenim and  www.asabametro.com as the source.