Lagos — Recently, there have been public outcries over the frequent rate of foreign trips by some state governors on the pretext of scouting for investors. Ademola Adeyemo in this report examines the governors' many trips abroad vis-a-vis the level of investments in their respective states

Frequent overseas traveling by some state governors have continued to attract public criticisms as critics describe the habit as "insensitive" to the people's yearnings, jamboree and sheer waste of public fund. While some people find it difficult to appreciate the benefits of such trips abroad which have become fashionable among the state governors, matters of public importance are often left unattended to for most of the time, as a large retinue of public officers also accompany the state chief executives on such trips. Observers report that from May 29, 2007 to date, some governors have made not less than 50 trips abroad on the pretext of looking for investors or to attend various ceremonies of their family members, relatives or friends. Some trips are also for private business, medical check-ups. They often last for between two to four weeks and are usually funded from the government coffers.

Apart from public officers, members of the governors' immediate families and personal friends also benefit from the globe-trotting through huge estacodes. Worried by the habit, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), an umbrella of political parties in Nigeria also took a swipe at the state governors for squandering the states' dwindling resources on needless foreign trips. Chief Willy Ezugwu, CNPP's scribe in a statement, condemned the governors' habit of globe-trotting on the pretext of seeking foreign investment.

Also, the regular absence of the state executives from their duty posts have resulted in huge loss to the states in terms of project execution and provisions of social amenities to the people .Moreso, the revenue profiles of the affected states have continued to nose dive due to wasteful spending. During emergency situation, the globe throttling governors are not always around to take urgent crucial decisions.

Recently in Oyo State, the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) criticized Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala for embarking on his recent foreign trip. The party described the journey as mere waste of public fund. The party accused the governor of neglecting his duties but embarking on frivolous journey that has not benefited the State in any way. According to the party, the governor has squandered the state resources.

But Mr Dotun Oyelade, the governor's spokesman said that recently a state delegation led by the Governor, concluded a one-week business visit to the U.S. on the invitation of the World Trade Centre (WTC). Oyelade said that during the Nigerian Business Summit, which held in Illinois, Chicago, Oyo State succeeded in signing three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the private partners geared towards job creation and poverty alleviation.

He explained that as a gesture of government determination on poverty alleviation, over 15000 citizens and groups have benefited from the Oyo State Poverty Alleviation Scheme as at two weeks ago. Some other States including Lagos, Abia States and the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce were also invited to the American summit.

"Since assumption of office, Governor Alao-Akala had visited Tunisia for the African Development Bank Water Scheme, he visited India for the transportation scheme which has since taken off last year and Europe on similar bilateral private sector driven projects at the instance of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council . It is a deliberate distortion for anyone to say that Governor Alao-Akala had gone abroad 20 times since he assumed office."

Recently, Senator Joseph Waku publicly accused Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State of wasting the resources of the state on frivolities. According to the Senator, Suswan has made not less than 50 trips across the world since his assumption of office on May 29, 2007. He said that the people of the State have been neglected as no dividend of democracy is coming to them.

But the governor, while responding to the public outcry over his trips explained that his recent trip abroad was financed by the Federal Government. Suswam claimed that he accompanied Vice President Goodluck Jonathan and that other governors were there for the African Business Round Table of the African Union meeting with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Last January, the Governor was said to have made similar trip to the United States to attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama. It was however alleged by critics in the state that Suswan had visited ten countries within the last two months mostly to woo foreign investors. The opposition parties in the state are also demanding that the governor should account for the trips.

However, Dr. Cletus Akwaya a close aide of the governor explained that the trips are beneficial to the development of the state. "In terms of naira and kobo, it is difficult to state the cost," he said. While responding to the accusations leveled against the governor by the opposition in the state, Akwaya said that Suswan has not done anything outside the budget of the state as appropriated by the State Legislature. "It is simply impossible for a state governor to effectively discharge the duties and responsibilities of his office without having to make international travels. The trips have attracted investment in Mbatyav Cement factory worth over $300million"

Explaining further, Akwaya said that " The governor's first two trips to the US had to do with wooing agricultural technologists, while the third was to attend the Mzough-U-Tiv in America (MUTA), a gathering of Tiv people in the United States, Canada and Mexico."

However, despite the public outcry against the governor's frequent trip, the State House of Assembly had to reconvene in order to pass a vote of confidence on the governor to stave off public criticisms.

In Taraba State, Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai has been nicknamed "The globe-trotter". He was said to have earned the name due to his frequent foreign trips. He was said to have visited over 30 countries chasing investors. His critics said the governor is reckless when it comes to travelling abroad an action which they alleged was responsible for the poor state of social and economic infrastructures in the state. Aminu Jika, the state Commissioner for Information, while defending Suntai's trips said that the governor only travel out of necessity.

But the governor's travelling may not have been a waste after all; his trip to Egypt yielded the recruitment of 30 expatriate doctors for the State Specialist Hospital in Jalingo. Also, his visit to Malaysia brought some expatriate engineers to Jalingo where they work for the state road construction agency (TARCMA). Although critics have claimed that the Malaysian experts have been discovered to be artisans and not engineers.

Even in Kano, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau's trips abroad have sparked off series of criticism. He was said to be in the habit of travelling with a large retinue of aides with the attendant huge cost to the state, especially during his recent visits to England, South Korea and Malaysia. Critics also said that the state has no record of investments to justify the governor's frequent trips abroad. According to critics"Instead of settling down for serious business, Shekarau is busy receiving honourary degrees and titles,"

But Alhaji Sule Ya'u Sule, the governor's spokesman dismissed the allegations as "unwarranted and ill-informed". According to him", The governor never embark on any foreign trip unless it is beneficial to people. Our governor doesn't sneak in and out of the state without the knowledge of the people,"

Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, who is also the chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), is allegedly among the most traveled governors. His numerous trips outside Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, are said to be "uncountable".

Saraki's incessant travelling has been hinged on two factors, by a source close to the governor. "Saraki's family lives in Lagos where he grew up. He is said to be one of the few people who have President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's ears. Therefore, he purportedly has to go to Lagos every week to meet his family and go to Abuja to keep a tab on political developments," the source said.

Apart from chairing the NGF meetings, the governor also travels abroad too. As a soccer fan, his critics have often accused him of flying to England to watch football matches involving his favorite team in the English Premiership.

The governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ali modu Sherrif, was said to be in the habit of sneaking out of the state for his many trips abroad. The governor was said to be a common face in the neighbouring Chad Republic. It was also said that he often embarked on trips to Europe and other countries through Chad.

Governor Sheriff apparently moves away with governance any time he is outside. Also, whenever Sherrif travels, "every administrative and other governmental affair stands still" said a source.

Adamawa State Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako was also accused of globe trotting. According to Hon. Abdulmumini Ibrahim Song, "the funds involved in Nyako's frequent foreign trips could be better used to reduce the plight of the ordinary people in the state.

However, Nyako's spokesman, Aminu Iyawa denied the accusation as mischievous claiming that the governor's trips abroad were to woo investor's to the state. Said he, "The last time Nyako traveled out of the shores of this country was before the annulment of his election and it was on the issue of the hospital. Nyako doesn't need to go abroad before wooing investors. The governor is not known for globe-trotting."