Yusuf Oketola
THE Governor-elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, has told landlords who lend their properties to the State Government of Osun to collect outstanding rents from the government before the expiration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s tenure.
Adeleke, who spoke through his Transition Committee, accused Oyetola’s administration of refusing to settle rent debt across the agencies, even as he declared that his administration will not be responsible for any unpaid rent.
This was contained in a press release signed by the Director of Media of the Adeleke Transition Committee, Mallam Abdulrasheed Olawale, a copy of which made available to OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday.
It alleged that the budgeted fund meant to settle the unpaid rent debt has been diverted into private pockets by officials of the outgoing administration of Oyetola.
The statement reads: “The Ademola Adeleke Transition Committee has warned landlords in Osun state to collect outstanding rents from government agencies before the November 27 hand over date.
“We also call on Governor Oyetola not to ruin what remains of Osun economy by his administration’s refusal to settle rent debt across the agencies. There should be a limit to organised plot to bankrupt Osun economy.
“The warming is coming amidst reliable reports that many agencies of government have refused to pay accumulated rents because their chief executives have diverted budgeted funds.
“The report further indicated that the fraudulent practice is so widespread that landlords are mounting pressure on Governor Oyetola, his commissioners and heads of agencies to pay up before November 27.
“Rather than pay up especially when the fund were duly appropriated, the Oyetola administration is reported to be reassuring the landlords that government is a continuum and that the incoming government will settle the bill.
“Our checks showed that the outstanding debt on rented apartments runs into several millions of naira
“It has therefore become necessary to call on landlords and real estate practitioners to ensure the Oyetola government settle outstanding rent debt before the end of his tenure.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the incoming Adeleke administration will not be responsible for any unpaid rent debt, especially when available evidence confirmed that the budgeted fund has been diverted into private pocket by officials of the outgoing administration”.
