RE: FERTILIZER: FOR ZAMFARA GOVERNMENT ITS ALMOST ONE MILLION NAIRA PER BAG
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Once again, I would like to clear the air on another fabricated and misleading one cultured in the above heading, as we will continue to respond to these unfounded attacks with facts and reason, ensuring that the populace is not hoodwinked by misinformation.
Constructive criticism is essential to our growth and improvement, and we welcome it. But we will not be swayed by the whims of baseless propaganda. Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and truth will always shine through the noise. For, us, opposition is indeed the flavor of democracy, providing a vital check on power and fostering healthy debate.
However, when opposition devolves into baseless allegations, media flaws, and relentless onslaughts, it undermines the very fabric of our democratic discourse. We will not stand idly by while our character and policies are maliciously maligned.
Furthermore, as the PDP-led administration day by day continue to make wave in every ramification, the APC-led opposition has been left reeling in discomfort as Governor Dauda Lawal continues to make strides in the state. His tireless efforts to deliver on campaign promises and drive meaningful change have left the opposition struggling to keep pace.
Despite their best attempts to discredit him, Governor Lawal’s unwavering commitment to the people’s welfare and his unshakeable resolve to tackle long-standing challenges have earned him widespread acclaim. As he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, the opposition finds itself increasingly on the back foot, unable to counter the Governor’s impressive record of achievements. Their discomfort is a testament to Governor Lawal’s unyielding dedication to the people and his unrelenting drive to leave a lasting legacy.”
To hit the nail on the head, the PDP Secretariat never said that the whole of 38.5 Billion was meant for the purchased of fertilizer only (this was cleared with the use of an “offshoot” in the response), but it is a total amount earmarked in the budget for Agriculture and food Security, however this covers for recurrent and capital expenditure, where inputs and implements such as Seedlings, Fertilizers, Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides); Tractors and attachments (plows, harrows, cultivators), Crop protection equipment (sprayers, dusters, foggers) and Livestock handling equipment to mention a few all fall under.
When the APC’s foot soldiers claim that each bag of fertilizer costs 855,000, this scenario had invited a slap on their faces, somewhat portraying their true colour of what they intend to achieve. This is a clear case of rubbing salt in their wounds; for this myopic assertion is a blind leading the blind situation, where the party in its psyche is seen willfully ignorant of the harsh realities on the ground. It’s like trying to sell ice to an Eskimo, a futile attempt to deceive the people. The APC is crying crocodile tears, pretending to care about the farmers while fleecing them with outrageous prices. Masterminding from the security angle all sort of things that will deprive the farmers from going to their farms. Conversely, this is a classic case of the emperor’s new clothes, where the party is parading a falsehood as the truth, hoping to hoodwink the masses. But the people are not fools, they can see through this smokescreen, and the APC’s insensitivity will ultimately be their Achilles’ heel.
As for the insinuation that the contract after due process was awarded to Zam State Government for awarding the contract to ZAM AGRO CHEMICALS Fertilizer company this is another baseless one, for the benefit of the good Zamfara citizenry the contract was awarded to a very active KGV Nigeria Limited Company a manufacturers of the somewhat NPK household Fertilizer; as we speak the product is in circulation in the state amid lying in the stores of Ministry of Agriculture.
The APC cum previous government’s claim that ZAM AGRO CHEMICALS failed to meet expectations is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. They’re trying to pass the buck, but it’s a classic example of sour grapes. By revisiting this issue, they’re only revisiting a mockery of themselves, beating a dead horse. Their words are nothing but a storm in a teacup, a desperate attempt to deflect attention from their own shortcomings. It’s like trying to put lipstick on a pig, they can’t disguise their own failures. They’re crying over spilled milk, trying to rewrite history, but the people won’t be taken for a ride. Their attempt to shift the blame is a wild goose chase, and they’ll ultimately be left with egg on their face.
To pronounce their flaws vividly, let me take you through how it happened: Actually, the contract was signed between Zamfara State Government (under Matawallen Maradun) and Digital Crown Solution – a company fronted by Honourable Abdul-Rahman Tumbido – the current Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Zamfara State. The contract was to deliver 1000 truck of fertilizer: to be delivered in 10 batches; hence on a delivery before payment basis; with each 100-truck to cost 504 million naira. The company then contacted Governor Dauda Lawal -owned ZAM AGRO CHEMICALS for the supply on the above terms.
Through the compassion the incumbent governor had for the citizenry of the state -the company agreed on this term and at first delivered 120 trucks, even without waiting for the first 100 trucks to be paid. It was at the payment of the first batch (first 100 trucks) as agreed that the willingness of the administration became questionable, as only 252 million naira (half the total amount) was only paid. Thus, after series of follow up the Digital Crown Solution couldn’t get the balance payment for 50+20 trucks delivered. This undoubtedly made the company to stop the supply. This had been the situation all through the 4-years term of the now APC leader in the state. As it stands, the Zamfara State Government (under Matawallen Maradun) is owing Digital Crown Solution payment of 70 trucks of fertilizer.
However, the irony is nobody seems to have the capacity to account for the whereabout of these trucks of fertilizer as the government didn’t distribute these fertilizers. Don’t forget it was an era where monies were collected from farmers, perhaps with lack of political will to put the motto of the state at its peak, one can conclude that these monies given to Digital Crown Solution in respect to the said contract might be the ones collected from those helpless farmers.
On a last note, let the APC and their bankrollers be put on notice: that the PDP-led administration under Governor Dauda Lawal is committed to operating with transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in all its dealings. We will not be swayed by partisan interests or clandestine agendas. Our mantra is ‘Zamfara First’, and we will tirelessly work to ensure that every decision, every policy, and every action is guided by the utmost good of the citizenry. We will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of progress, and our doors will always be open to constructive feedback and collaboration. The era of secrecy and exclusivity is behind us; we are ushering in a new dawn of openness, integrity, and collective prosperity. The APC and their cohorts would do well to take note and adjust their sights accordingly.
State Secretariat
People’s Democratic Party
Zamfara State
26th, August, 2024
