Politics turn from the the most vital of human arts to a dirty game dispelling the good and the best man whilst attracting the gambler and the ignoble – Ike Odimegu.
There is a case of a school girl who got the highest grade in the school, no sooner had people sang in praise for her exploits, when it was discovered that she actually cheated and only attracted “undeserving praise”.
This analogy best suited the situation in the pace setters state where some paid “biglers” are on the prowl blowing to entertain the Governor for a job well done.
Before you mount the mountains and start singing like a canary, here are some pertinent questions to ask before the applause.
Foremost, Is the contract needful at the moment for common good?
This is what Plato refers as “good of a city.” A state as we know is not created for its own sake but its a reflection of man’s economy needs.
What Is the need for spending humongous money on stadium renovation or park building when majority sleep with empty stomach and at the grueful expense of building schools?
Also crucial is considering value fo money. Does it justify the money spent, durability question and past records of the contractor follow in that order before we begin to sulk in sorrow and disbelief shortly after.
Spartan – like STEP . “Sincere tender award process”. Is it followed. What is the award tender process like. Is it for me benefit of the ” favoured few”
Contract award process is also key . Who gets the award, is it fair and merited or given to a non indigenes that will soon run away?
Priority question should be distinctly answered. We should prevent at all cost a misplacement of priority. Is the project wanted by the masses?
Is it a white elephants project or what the Europeans call ” Mending the highway in the summer”?
Debt repayment is how much and it will be paid by whom and for how long will it take to pay back with the accruited proceeds.? If its infrastructural design or road projects, how many is being charged on tolls?
That is simply accountability building and developing a just st,ate in an open society. Let’s avoid giving people the unmerited pearl.
Thank God a man on Rescue mission is on the way. Let’s boot out a fraud, vote for TKF.
Okunlola Adekunle is an Ibadan based public analyst.
