The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of employing diversionary tactics to avoid addressing pertinent questions regarding the controversial multi-billion naira tractor purchase under Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Concerns are mounting over this transaction due to recent information from several farmers in the state.
According to these farmers, the government, after forming a questionable partnership with the tractor suppliers, is compelling them (farmers) to accept the tractors under restrictive conditions, such as repaying through an instalment plan.
Farmers are distressed that the government, which previously announced the acquisition of new tractors for their benefit, is now, covertly, pushing them to pay hefty sums for what they describe as substandard and unreliable machinery.
Given the revelations from the farmers and the government’s deafening silence on the matter, we are inclined to believe that the state government’s “tractorization revolution” is merely a ploy to score political points and burden unsuspecting farmers with debt through a “hire-purchase” scheme allegedly imposed on them.
We assert that the vague response from the ruling party to our inquiry suggests that Governor Adeleke and his team may be concealing something regarding the tractor controversy.
To prove that Governor Adeleke has no hidden agenda concerning the tractor purchase, it is crucial for the Osun government to dispel the rumours by answering the following previously ignored questions without further delay:
1. Is it true that each tractor (with full implements) cost N70 million, given that N8 billion was spent on 114 tractors?
2. If not, what is the cost of each tractor (with full implements)?
3. How many tractors were ordered by the state?
4. How many tractors have been fully paid for?
5. How many tractors are in the possession of the state government?
6. When will the state take full delivery of the remaining tractors?
7. What are the brand names and specifications of the tractors?
8. Who are the suppliers of the tractors?
9. When will the state distribute the tractors to farmers, cooperative associations, or agricultural agencies?
10. Are the tractors being distributed on a rental basis, hire-purchase, or another leasing plan?
Failure to address these questions will only reinforce suspicions that Osun residents have been deceived yet again by a dubious tractor deal.
e-SIGNED:
Chief KOLA OLABISI, Osun State APC Director of Media and Information.
