… extends wage awards to Oyo workers by six months

By Adeola Badru, Ibadan 

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the Federal Government to allow states to develop at their own pace, as the country’s system of federalism should allow for the diversity of Nigeria to be reflected in the development of its states. 

He made this known yesterday, during the commissioning of the dualized 12.5-kilometre Challenge—OdoOna Elewe-Ellebu-Apata Road, Ibadan.

The governor argued that a one-size-fits-all approach to development would not work in a country as diverse as Nigeria.

Makinde said that each state has unique needs and resources, and that they should be allowed to use those resources to develop their own states. He said that this would lead to more efficient and effective development and would ultimately benefit the entire country. 

He noted that this approach would encourage competition and innovation among states and would lead to more effective use of resources.

The governor said further: “Let me use this opportunity to talk about the meeting we had a few days ago. We, the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, including my brother here. We met in Abuja, and one of the key issues we discussed was the economic hardship our people are facing.

“Our focus at this time is helping our people overcome the challenges of the times. Some people continue to play politics and tell lies about how things are. I read claims that FAC has doubled for states and local government areas.”

“I think it’s just a lazy way to situate things. We must be talking about baking a bigger cake. FAC is what everybody is talking about.”

“Why are we even going to Abuja in the first instance to share FAC? We’re they doing that in the first republic?”

“Well, FAC has moved up from about 6 billion Naira per month to about 8 billion Naira per month, but so have the responsibilities of government,” Makinde posited.

He, however, promised to increase the level of infrastructural development in the state, adding that he would work to bring more dividends of democracy to the people, ensuring that they have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. 

The governor, who named the newly commissioned road as Chief Theophilus Akinyele Way, noted that the road construction would cut down travel time by 30 minutes. 

Meanwhile, Gov Makinde announced the extension of wage awards to workers in the state by another six months.

Recall that the governor approved wage awards for state workers from October 2023 to March 2024 to cushion the effects of the removal of oil subsidy by the federal government. 

In his remarks, the special guest of honour, the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, lauded Makinde for his decisiveness and progressive mindedness, which, be said, are essentially about the collective interest of the people.

Governor Mbah, then, called on political leaders to do more in building projects for the country.

“We can only expand our economy through critical infrastructure like this one done by my brother, Engr. Seyi Makinde,” the governor said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport in the state, Professor Dahud Sangodoyi, stated that the road, which used to be a single carriage, was initially awarded by former governor of the state, Governor Adebayo Alao Akala, in 2008 and suffered neglect for eight years of the Abiola Ajimobi administration before it was re-awarded to Messrs. Kopek Construction Limited by the current administration.

Sangodoyin, who gave a breakdown of road constructed during Omituntun 1.0 as 144.37 and 2.0 as 76.25 so far, said that with the completion of the project, the Makinde administration has completed 220.62 kilometres of road under Omituntun 1.0 and Omituntun 2.0.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Federal Controller of Works in Oyo State, Mrs Morounmubo Olarerin, said the administration of Governor Makinde was committed to delivering good road infrastructure in the state, adding that the governor has strictly kept to his promise to finish all incomplete projects that are strategic to the development of the state.

Similarly, the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Niyi Ajewole, commended the governor for the infrastructural and uncommon developmental strides made through various projects.