“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”
….. Soren Kierkegaard
Our attention has been drawn to a nefarious post, circulating on Social Media, propagated by insensitive mischief makers and Clout Chasers, on the alleged conversion of The Jummai Aduda Town Hall project to the Personal edifice for Sen. Philip Tanimu Aduda and his family. They further alleged that the Sum of #225 million was embezzled by the Distinguished for the same purpose.
It would have been ideal not to respond to such a ludicrous, vague and unfounded allegation, with preposterous postulations punctuated by innuendos, howbeit it is extremely important to disparage this silly notion, not with war, but seemingly cogent and verifiable facts.
(1) The Town Hall which is located in Karu Community of the FCT, is a constituency project, sponsored by the Distinguished Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, and was included in the Budget. For people who are versed with the workings of the National Assembly, a Senator does not have access to funds appropriated for in the Budget, these funds are released directly to the MDAs( Ministries, Department and Agencies), who executes based on the funds allocated for sane project based on the performance of the Budget for that same year, which is usually between 20% to 30% (released funds).These projects are reintroduced regimentally until completion, else it could end becoming an abandoned project.
The Question here is this, If the Total Sum was #225 million and was disbursed in 3 Tranches, did it exceed the initial budgeted sum? It is glaringly undeniable, that the is answer is NO.
(2) These projects are domiciled in the FMWR acting under UNRBDA,who are solely saddled with the responsibility of Award, Execution and Supervison. Once this Contracts are awarded, it becomes a Public Document, which can be verified at every point in time. The FOI bill also affords the General public, the opportunity to verify from any of the MDAs on the Status of a Contract. The Distinguished Senator is neither a Contractor, a Government Agency or owns any Company involved in such matters and is not in anyway part of the Tenders Board who awards same contracts,how can he now be said to have received Contract Sums?.
(3) The projects embarked upon by the Distinguished Senator are visible, tangible, assesible and effective, which is spread across the 62 Wards of the 6 Area Councils of the FCT.
These are not White Elephant projects but they are grassroot based and people oriented, to serve the purposes of his constituents who have elected him to serve them.Ranging from Boreholes, Schools, HealthCentres, Transformers, Scholarship, Youth and Women Empowerment, Rural Electrification, Roads and of late COVID-19 Palliatives etc.
We are sure, as adduced, that this laudable Gargantuan achievements by the Distinguished Senator, has overwhelmed the naysayers, and thwacked their nepotism, which has confined them to abject repudiation.
(4) The issue of appellation of the name of Late Chief (Dr) Mrs Jummai Tanimu Aduda MON (Mama Abuja) was solely conceived and adopted by the entire Community Heads and Villagers, who deemed it fit, as a sign of Honour in her Memory, for the great achievements she brought to the good people of Karu. It is also regrettably laughable, to therefore presume, rather obnoxiously, that naming the Karu Town Hall after Her, now outrightly means transferring the ownership to Her family. Suffice it to say that,It will also mean, for instance, that the MKO Abiola Stadium belongs to the Abiolas, The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport belongs to the Azikiwes as well as other Government edifices and Monuments named after great Nigerians.
This is the height of ineptitude and bi-partisan bigotry.
Let it also be on record that at present, other Town Halls are being constructed in other Area Councils, with that of Bwari nearing 80% Completion level already.
Finally, the Distinguished Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda has delivered over time on his promises, and has provided effective Leadership to his constituents with adroit panache and Clairvoyance, little wonder he was relected as Senate Minority Whip by his colleagues who have attested that he is reliable, tested and trusted.
He remains poised to engender development to the good people of FCT.
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