The 2024 state budget performance report for the third quarter obtained by a reporter, the Kwara State government, led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, spent a total of N8,022,485,330 on “development projects for pilgrimages” within nine months.
The report, published on the state government’s website, did not clearly define what was meant by “development projects on pilgrimages.”
However, it is likely related to supporting annual pilgrimages by Muslim and Christian faithful to Mecca and Jerusalem, respectively.
Amid Nigeria’s economic crisis, fueled by soaring inflation under the All Progressives Congress, of which Governor AbdulRazaq is a member.
It has been revealed that the Kwara State government allocated N6.5 billion to renovate Kwara Hotels within three months.
However, reports from a reporter indicate that 76% of the project’s N8.5 billion budget has already been spent.
Critics have described the project’s cost as exorbitant, accusing the government of prioritizing poorly during a period of economic hardship.
Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the government to suspend the project, raising concerns about its purpose and calling for greater transparency.
Notably, while N6.5 billion was spent on hotel renovations in just three months, the total capital expenditure for the state’s healthcare ministry was N5.4 billion over the first half of 2024.
However, only N1.538 billion was allocated for tertiary education capital projects during the same period.
Then, N102.1 million was allocated for capital expenditure in the Ministry of Water Resources.
While the state spent N16.9 billion on its Ministry of Works over six months.
Lastly, N42 million was spent on water facility projects during the same period, with no recorded expenditure on the construction of hospitals or health centers.
