says decision is a clear case of betrayal of public trust and conflict of interest
The lawmaker representing the good people of Saki West constituency at Hallowed chamber of the House of Assembly, Hon. Shittu Aremu Ibrahim,has alleged that the chairman of the Saki West LGA, Hon. Gbenga Akinola planned to sell or lease the Shopping Complex located at Kolawole area along Sango road , Saki , Oyo State to a non-indigeneous investor.
Ibrahim, made the allegation in a statement made available to the public domain, claimed that the chairman, had negotiated the transaction either for sale or lease of the Complex to a private developer from another constituency.
He stressed that, the decision is a clear case of betrayal of public trust and conflict of interest, stating how the Complex is an invaluable asset of the community and deemed it unnecessary and unacceptable that,the chairman should not plan to sell or lease to an outsider without consulting the critical stakeholders in the overall interests of the community.
The allegation, having sparked heated discussions among residents, called on the council boss to provide a detailed explanation of the alleged sale .
In response to the allegation, Hon. Gbenga Olaleye Akinola issued a rebuttal denying any wrongdoing, stating that the council area under his watch is committed to transparency and accountability in the dealings. Meanwhile,his rebuttal statement confirmed that the local government is planning something for the said shopping complex though the deal is yet to be completed or made open.
The Kolawole Shopping Complex which was formerly an army quarters is an inestimable asset of the LG situated at the center of the community, has been a subject of controversial issues and the alleged plan to sell to an outsider also sparked controversy among local residents and business owners.
Some residents argued that,the Complex should be placed under the watch of a Local investor who understands the community’s needs and will priotize local development, saying they are not against the sale or lease of the Complex as the case may be,to meet the standards required but should either be sold or leased to an investor that will benefit the community or the government takes charge like they did to the Complex opposite the Okere’s palace
The controversy surrounding the alleged plan to sell the LG Shopping Complex to an outsider has raised serious questions about the transparency and accountability while the LG denial to sell the Complex without due consultations remains skeptical and demanding concrete evidence to support the denial. However, the current occupants of the premises have also confirmed that, people claiming to be investors have been visiting them with some instructions.
Impeccable sources raised concerns about how commensurate to the community’s development how Hon. Akinola has been selling LG property, citing the Estates sold out as a LG boss,the controversial Customary Court at Sango area ,Saki Post Office among others.
This Newspaper can exclusively report as emerged in an ongoing investigation into the allegation that, a Lagos-based private investor is linked to the development who is keenly interested in the complex.
ITV Online, can also gather that ,same investor is in charge of the on-going Complex besides the LG Secretariat in Iseyin LGA.
We will continue to launch investigations into the allegations to ascertain whether the proposal followed a proper procedure and whether it will priotize the interest of local residents and business owners.