OPEN LETTER TO ADAMAWA STATE GOVERNMENT: MISPLACED PRIORITIES AND THE NEED FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

As a concerned citizen of Adamawa State, I find it necessary to voice the collective displeasure of the people regarding the recent approval of 19.7 billion naira of taxpayers’ money for the construction of a market—a project that is not only unnecessary at this time but also a glaring example of misplaced priorities.

The citizens of Adamawa State do not need a market right now; what we urgently need are well-equipped hospitals that can address the alarming state of healthcare across our three senatorial zones. The health and well-being of the people should be paramount, yet the focus of this administration seems to have drifted towards less critical projects.

The decision to use public funds for this market raises serious concerns. Why should the hard-earned money of the people be used for a project that the private sector could handle? Across Nigeria, markets are built by private entities through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), ensuring that government resources are allocated to more pressing needs like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Adamawa State’s failure to establish a PPP policy document, let alone implement a single PPP project, is both disappointing and alarming. PPPs are the backbone of states that have made significant strides in development, drawing in investments and improving the quality of life for their citizens. It is high time that Adamawa followed suit.

Governor Fintiri, we demand an explanation for this ill-advised allocation of resources. The people of Adamawa deserve to know why a project that could easily be funded by private investors has been prioritized over the construction of hospitals that could save lives. What is the motive behind this decision? The silence from the government on this matter only fuels our suspicion and discontent.

We also call upon the Commissioner of Trade, Commerce, and Industries to publicly disclose the bidding process that led to the approval of such a substantial amount for this project. Transparency is a constitutional right, and we demand full access to the documents and processes that culminated in this decision.

Adamawa State cannot afford to squander resources on projects that do not directly benefit the people. We urge the Governor to reconsider this decision and redirect funds towards building hospitals that will serve the people, ensuring that their health and well-being are prioritized over unnecessary constructions. This is not just a call for better governance; it is a demand for accountability, transparency, and a government that truly serves the interests of its people.

 Zachariah C. Hyellamada PhD

Adamawa Integrity Gorup

Cc:

Speaker Adamawa State House of Assembly

Secretary to the State Government

Commissioner of Commerce Trade and Industry