Mimiko’s Doom-Dome

Mimiko

When William Bryant wrote in his soul-stirring book, The Battlefield that, “Truth, crushed to earth shall rise again, the eternal years of God are hers,” he could not have had Ondo State, Nigeria, of the 21st century in mind. Nor, could he have fathomed that a time would come when a certain medical doctor-turned- politician, called Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, would be opportune to steer its political affairs for four tortuous years. Interestingly, Bryant also noted that no matter how long it takes, falsehood eventually consumes its worshippers. So be it.

As a stakeholder in the acclaimed Sunshine State, I am writing this to let the whole world know that on several instances incumbent Governor Olusegun Mimiko has taken millions of his people on a fool’s bumpy ride. Devoid of base sentiments, political persuasion and for the sake of posterity, which will judge us all someday, one must face the truth in its face and tell it as it is, no matter whose ox is gored. That precisely underscores the whole gamut of the controversial, doomed Dome Project, Akure, which Mimiko fantasized about and eventually made public  in March,2010.

At the grandiose kick-off ceremony back then, he gleefully told the world that the 25,000 capacity hall, much-touted to be Africa’s biggest events centre, was conceived to reposition Ondo State as a tourist haven and destination of choice. Situated on a sprawling expanse of 34 hectares of land, along Igbatoro Road, Akure at a whopping cost of N1.5 billion, it was to have other complementary facilities such as a five-star hotel, a well laid out spacious car park, added to a head room of five feet tall. He even boasted that the project would be completed within five months! However, only few people, including his coterie of  friends and himself knew, right from inception, that  their intention was surreptitiously to hoodwink, otherwise intelligent and politically sophisticated people of the state. 

Now, more than two years later, what he has to show the world is a fictional ‘paradise’ peopled by all manner of rodents and reptiles, tractors and bulldozers rusted in ruins. 

Trust the ever vigilant Nigerian media. By August of that year, a month after the promised five months, questions as to the sincerity of purpose and significance of the project had started agitating their minds. Was it, in truth and honesty, one of the priority needs of Ondo people? Was it awarded to the right construction company with the requisite pedigree and relevant skills, manpower and materials to handle it? Was the award itself in tandem with the nationally accepted due process? Was the mind-boggling cost itself justifiable? Would the citizens and the state get value for money? The answers to these troubling queries did not take long in coming.

Firstly, it was discovered to the chagrin of Ondo people that Messrs Dream Media Networks that got the project is owned by one Mr. Adetokunbo Modupe, a BSc holder in Sociology with experience in public relations, publishing and events planning! The company had not as much as laid cement blocks for any construction activity in its years of existence. Why would a state governor give out such an expensive project to an incompetent company if not for fraudulent reasons? It was one expensive joke taken too far-a handshake that had gone beyond the elbow.

But when a man’s moving mantra is steeped in self delusion and deception he has to tell more lies to cover past ones. Taken to task by the press in August 2010 over the undue delay in executing the Dome, Alhaji Sikiru Basaru, the Commissioner for Land and Housing, on behalf of Mimiko’s administration, lied again that the delay was due to various processes involved and the need to ensure structural stability. Furthermore, that the contractor had to carry out topography survey, cart away sand and refuse and cut the ground to the required size! What balderdash. It would have been better telling thrilling tales by moonlight to some over excited naïve children. But we are adults with our heads rightly screwed on our necks, aren’t we?

Yet, there were more lies to tell. Basaru disclosed that Mimiko and a few delegates were in Warsaw, Poland, where such a dome exists to see for themselves and avoid mistakes. There, they discovered that vermex fabric, which the governor had  claimed was the best in the world, has only 40 years warranty, compared to glass of 100 years warranty. Pronto, there and then, Mimiko and company reverted the plan in favour of glass. Talk about taking an action before thinking about it.  That decision taken in the absence of members of the state executive only highlighted the dictatorial tendency of the man in whose hands Ondo people had vested their political destiny.

In a manner of crass betrayal of trust, Mimiko, who claimed that  the Dome would take the place of Akure stadium used to host rallies, church crusades and concerts due to lack of space, and who went ahead to halt  the contract for banquet hall originally awarded by the previous administration has failed and woefully too to fulfill his litany of promises. In the absence of any extractive industry in the state to reduce the astronomical costs of such white-elephant project or create jobs for the people, Mimiko’s deliberate tomfoolery is unbecoming of a political leader who deludes himself with questionable awards, all in the blind bid to be seen as one of the best governors ever. 

But Ondo people cannot be fooled. According to Mr. Bayo Adekanle, the former National President of the National Association of Ondo State Students,” Mimiko is a confused person. He dips his hands into many things at the same time. These are contracts that he knows he cannot complete; contracts that will never see the light of day. Yet, he promises heaven and earth when he knows the truth. Adekanle has therefore, asked the EFCC to investigate the failed project and bring the culprits to speedy justice.

In a similar vein, a human rights activist, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, stated that: “There is no doubt that Governor Mimko is a confused person. He has slaughtered the hope of the people. He has abandoned virtually all the road projects in Akure and even Ondo his home town. I pity him because in a bid to impress the people with projects, he is now attracting criticisms from the same people.”

While most citizens of Ondo realise the fact that it was for the need to create more space for events that the Olusegun Agagau’s administration embarked on a banquet hall adjacent to the government house, at a modest cost of N75 million, the very idea of a Dome expected to be built at a whopping cost of N1.5billion and stalled at the site clearing stage years after, is absurd, criminal and outrageously scandalous.

Yet, this is just one out of the many failed projects Mimko has embarked upon. In governance, conventional wisdom dictates that a political leader should be a visionary, a prudent spender and a team leader. By starting what has turned out the doomed Dome, Mimiko has shown clearly that he lacks the managerial acumen of a worthy leader. A man whose word is not his honour and whose actions are inimical to the most pressing needs of his people is not fit to lead.

Yes, as the governor, he may have succeeded in fooling a few people all the time, or many people some of the time but he cannot fool all the people all the time. The veil is finally torn. All the truths he tried to crush to the ground have risen again. The most honourable decision he should take is to leave now. To continue gallivanting about, canvassing for votes for a second time is a direct slap on the face of Ondo people. As for me I will not take it any longer. What about you?

•Ajanaku is the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy, Akeredolu Campaign Organisation.