From Gyang Bere, Jos
The Chairman Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Plateau State Markus Kanda has kicked against Governor Simon Lalong for engaging JAIZ Bank, an Islamic bank for the reconstruction of the burnt Jos Main market at the cost of N10 billion.
He noted that a careful analysis of the MOU revealed that JAIZ Bank will reconstruct the market and take control of 60 per cent of the shops while Plateau State Government will settle with 40 per cent for a period of 40 years which they consider as economic enslavement.
Pharm. Kanda disclosed this on Saturday during a press briefing in Jos and lamented that the arrangement is a calculated attempt to take over the economy of the state.
“We demand that the Government of Governor Simon Bako Lalong should Suspend any/ all processes in this ongoing damning negotiations and engagement with JAIZ Bank forthwith and commence a wider consultation to be engaged at community levels via a state-wide awareness and mobilization to sensitize the people and seek their consent just as the issue of the previously attempted ranching and grazing reserve issues and leave its recommendation for the next government.
“Concentrate on completing the ongoing/ leftover/ abandoned projects and not bother engaging a new one which it obviously cannot settle for given the realities and circumstances; Show respect to the plight and apprehensions displayed and demonstrated by her Citizens and stay every further action in this same direction in relation to the JAIZ Bank perceived enslavement and destiny-mortgage agenda.
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“At least, there is a lot for the Government to do to achieve a better result of pleasing and impressing the Plateau People than sinking the entire boat at this eleventh hour. Settle on clearing all salaries, gratuities, pensions and other emoluments of workers and civil Servants on the Plateau as well as tidy up its records and accounts preparatory to an obvious transition and handing over to the next government in less than 10 Months from now.
“This w believe is more honourable than creating another transactional monster which will not Spare anything good for the state. Increase revenue in order to leave behind good liquidity for the next government to be elected by the Plateau people to start strong with a legacy worth the praise and applause of the Plateau people,” he stated.
Kanda accused Lalong of expending over N1 billion to demolish the burnt market which he claimed was more difficult than the reconstruction.
“A careful analysis of the said JVA will show that there are not only a lot of loopholes capable of being exploited by JAIZ Bank, there are also clauses revealing that JAIZ Bank will take 60% of the Shops which it shall sell to recover its money while Plateau State Government will settle with 40% which will also be shared between JAIZ Bank and the Government to raise its interest.
“This implies that of the about 4, 321 shops to be built, JAIZ Bank will take about 2, 593 Shops to itself, and then share with the Plateau State Government in its 1,728 Shops, meaning JAIZ Bank can access up to 3, 457 Shops and this will leave the Plateau State Government with only about 864 Shops in its own control and power and this, to last 40 years.
“JAIZ Bank is known to everyone as an interest-free loan bank, when have they started collecting interest of mortgaging 40 years, a period of about 2 generations in repayment of a loan of labour N10 billion,” he stated.