Ondo State Government Sparks Outrage with Ostentatious Housing Project for Cabinet Members

The Ondo State Government has come under fire for approving a staggering N8.168 billion for the construction of 32 units of four-bedroom terrace residential buildings for cabinet members, with each unit costing a whopping N281 million.

The project, awarded to Cosgrave Investment Ltd., an Abuja-based construction firm, is expected to take 18 months to complete and will be located in Akure, the state capital.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration has been criticized for prioritizing the luxury housing project over pressing issues such as unpaid wages, poor infrastructure, and a growing security crisis. Despite the state’s vast plots of land, the cost of the housing units has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the government’s judgment.

Residents and analysts have expressed concern over the government’s secrecy, with key financial details, including Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), monthly FAAC allocations, and state expenditure, remaining undisclosed to the public.

“This government operates like a secret cult. Even President Bola Tinubu regularly discloses federal revenues and expenditures. Ondo citizens deserve the same transparency,” said a political analyst in Akure.

The state’s poor public services have also come under scrutiny, with Rufus Giwa Polytechnic staff remaining unpaid and the much-publicized wage awards and new minimum wage yet to be implemented across various state institutions.

Security in Ondo State is deteriorating, with the Amotekun Corps and police complaining of inadequate funding, vehicles, and operational tools.

Citizens are calling for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a full-scale investigation into the state’s finances, citing concerns over the management of state resources.

“The governor is not in control of Ondo State’s finances. With just two commissioners and little to no transparency, we must ask hard questions,” said a civic group in Ondo town.

Commissioners Olukayode Ajulo (SAN) and Mrs. Omowumi Isaac, who have been appointed by Governor Aiyedatiwa, will likely be among the beneficiaries of the luxury housing project.

However, the governor’s empowerment scheme, which provided N35,000 to 1,000 women, has been widely ridiculed as inadequate.