Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, has described the criticism from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State against the administration’s decision to embark on some major projects, deploying what was called ‘Oyo Prosperity Bond’, as inhuman.
The Commissioner described the statement purportedly signed by the Publicity Secretary of APC in Oyo State, Abdul-Azeez Olatunde, as another exhibition of open hatred for the people of the state.
The Oyo State Government announced the approval of what it called the use of ‘Oyo Prosperity Bond’, totalling N100 billion in two tranches to fund the construction of Circular Ring-Road, Iseyin-Ogbomoso road and upgrade of the Ibadan Airport.
The bond is also to cover the development of Ibadan Dry Port as well as the upgrade of state hospitals in each of the senatorial districts in Oyo State.
”It is so unfortunate that the APC that people massively voted against because of its selfish and mercantile approach to governance, claimed the federal government has stopped all states from embarking on federal projects when they know it is our people that are suffering for it.
”The Ibadan Circular Ring-Road, upgrade of Ibadan Airport and the development of the Dry Port are for the promotion of commercial activities in the state; whereas the APC administration could have done it when it was in power, but, instead, decided to emulate the ‘slave-driver’ approach which turned the people against it.
”Governor Seyi Makinde was voted in with massive votes from the common people who believed and still believe in him and not mercantile, cash and carry approach which failed the APC.
“The governor has always toed the path of honour in his programs, policies and actions; he has the interests of the common masses at heart; and these projects are representative of that fact.
”How easy could it have been if Covid-19 had not affected the global economy.
“Oyo APC is in the know about the humongous borrowings by the federal government, purportedly, to support infrastructural projects but do not see anything bad in that. Governor Makinde has turned the corner in the pursuit of good governancehe and, therefore, would not be deterred by baseless and asinine criticisms, Dr. Olatunosun said.
The commissioner pointed out that the statement from Oyo APC showed the insensitivity of the party leadership to the needs and yearnings of the people of the State.
Continuing, he asked, ”are they saying our people do not need quality healthcare facilities? Must the state remain in the stupor and economic stagnation they left behind, even when they spent the resources of the state to rub the ego of their ‘foreign’ masters’?
”Governor Seyi Makinde has seen the need to boost the local economy where these projects are sited, employment opportunities will be multiplied and people will be the better for it.”
