By Clifford Ndujihe

MONDAY, September 5  was a landmark for  Governor Ibikunle Amosun and political stakeholders to count the achievements of the first hundred days of the new administration in Gateway State.

On assumption of office on May 29, 2011, Amosun had promised a five-point programme: affordable qualitative education; efficient healthcare delivery; agricultural production/industrialisation; affordable housing and urban renewal; and rural and infrastructural development/employment generation.

He also assured that he would be rendering account of his stewardship every quarter. So, after the first 100 days he gave his report at an interactive forum held at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Amosun, assisted by his commissioners, special advisers and other officials reeled out his modest achievements so far to a colourful audience that included traditional rulers, erstwhile Governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, party leaders, stalwarts and other stakeholders.

To kick-start the event, the audience in the packed hall was asked to fire questions in any area of governance. In all, 567 questions streamed in, which a team of moderators led by Mr. Kayode Ogunbunmi reduced to six questions covering employment creation, sports, industrialisation, health, land dispute, environment, housing, security, revenue generation and education among others.

Affected commissioners and special advisers mounted the podium to answer the questions. Also Speaker of the House of Assembly, Suraj Adegoke and Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun spoke on how the government was weathering the storm of governance in the  state.  Thereafter, the stage was set for Amosun to outline his achievevents in an 11-page and 32-paragraph speech titled, “Ogun: The rebuilding mission continues.”

In spite of the N50 billion debt burden the government inherited, Amosun said his administration had started laying good foundation on each point of his five-point agenda.

For instance, he said Ogun State pays N18, 250 minimum wage (beginning from August 2011) and that he had fulfilled his promise of creating 10,000 jobs in his first 100 days. According to him, the 10,000 beneficiaries including 107 physically challenged persons would get their appointment letters next week.

The governor said tap water was flowing in homes around Abeokuta and parts of Ijebu and Remo Divisions and efforts were being made to extend it to the 236 wards of the state.

On education, he listed his achievements as introduction of free education for primary and secondary school students, on-going renovation of 100 schools across 20 local councils of the state, payment of WAEC fees and N10 million to benefit from a UNICEF sponsored project, clearance of arrears of subvention to tertiary institutions, removal of 50 per cent increment in tertiary tuition fees announced by the last administration and reduction of the old fees by 10 per cent among others.

On health, Amosun said he had started repairing 50 primary healthcare centres, increased the malaria control programme and released additional funds for successful implementation of the free health services to pregnant women, babies  (under five years) and senior citizens (above 70 years).

On agriculture, the governor said the government had processed the N1 billion (one billion naira) agricultural loan the Federal Government promised each of the states and the fund was now ready for farmers to access; provided funds to beneficiaries of the FADAMA project and commissioned the Cassava Processing Cottage Industry at Okolemo community, which was executed in collaboration with the British-American Tobacco Nigerian Foundation among others.

As part of his rural and urban renewal scheme, he said the government rehabilitated four federal roads, seven state roads and awarded contracts for the reconstruction of 28 roads across the three senatorial districts.

To fulfil his promise of not allowing the plight of Ogun compatriots who lost their lives, properties or were brutalised and made to suffer different forms of brutality, to pass away without appropriate measures to seek redress or, at least, investigate what happened, Amosun raised a five-member body to be known as the Ogun State Truth Commission.

To be headed by former Supreme Court Justice Pius Aderemi (rtd), other members are former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Abdullahi Mustapha (rtd); former Chief judge of Lagos State, Hon Justice Dolapo Akinsanya (rtd); Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Barr. Bamidele Aturu and a nominee from the state branch of the NBA, Barr. Tunji Onabawo.