Group Calls For Public Hearing On Osun Debt Profile, Chides Assembly

 

Yusuf Oketola

A State of Osun based pressure group, the Coalition of Youths Voice Movement, has called for public hearing on the debt profile of the state.

The group chided the state assembly for keeping its findings on the debt profile of the state away from citizens of the state. 

In a statement signed by its President, Comr. Adebisi Emmanuel, Secretary, Comr. Owolabi Hassan and Spokesperson, Comr. Abiodun Saheed, the group charged the House of Assembly to convey a public hearing on the debt profile of the state, saying the public deserves to know how the funds were also spent. 

“In our last press release dated December 23, 2022, we gave the state house of assembly 60 days ultimatum to convey a pubic hearing on the debt profile of the state and why the assembly approved the loans and how they were spent. 

“The public deserves to know the amount of the Internally Generated Revenue of the state? What is the total amount of debt incurred by successive administrations in the state? How were the funds spent? Why did the House of Assembly grant approval for the loans? What is the repayment terms and condition? The public deserves answers to these posers.

“Unfortunately, the assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, has refused to call for a public hearing. The committee which the assembly set up to investigate the debt profile has not also been functioning, according to our findings. This is antithetical to principle of transparency, accountability and good governance.  

“We know as a matter of fact that it is unpracticable and unusual to see a sustainable economy without loan burden because governance and development require huge financial commitment and progammes, but we need to know the actual amount of the debt profile of the state. That is our right.

“We are calling on the state legislature to convey a public hearing on debt profile of the state.