Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde has advised All Progressives Congress’ (APC) 2019 gubernatorial candidate, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, to desist from clamouring for change without requisite knowledge and expertise.
Governor Makinde made the statement while reacting to an interview Chief Adelabu granted on Fresh FM 105.9 Ibadan. While speaking at the 41st-anniversary celebration of the Omo Ajorosun Club of Ibadan, Makinde said that while criticism of his administration’s policies was welcome, such criticism should be constructive, progressive, and executable.
The Oyo State Number One Man said he listened to the interview because he wanted to learn from Chief Adelabu’s arguments, but he came away disappointed. He said that Chief Adelabu had argued against the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA). According to the APC representative, the Build, Operate and Transfer” model was better.
However, Governor Makinde challenged anyone to mention any completed project, by either Oyo State or the Federal Government, using the BOT model. He said the model fails each time because it requires too much initial capital investment that supported corruption.
Makinde said, “At a point, the project contractor will be denied funds, and the possible reaction of the parties involved will be to reduce the quality of the work being done. Before the end of the construction, the project begins to deteriorate.”
He said the Oyo State Government chose APFA after due diligence. The highest amount the contractors get before the project completion is 35-45% of the total contract sum. “So, a contractor who has almost 55-60% fund with the government will not deliver a bad work because he knows his money will not be paid if he delivers a badly done project.”
Governor Makinde also admonished those eyeing the governorship seat in 2023 to “focus on things they think they can do better and sell it to the people of Oyo state.” He said they should not do things that will threaten the stability of the State, “Some people occupied the post yesterday. They are not there today. I occupy the post today; I will be gone tomorrow, but our State will always be here.”
Speaking further, Governor Makinde pointed out that his administration’s focus on project execution was because “there is a link between infrastructural deficit and the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR). When you tackle or reduce the infrastructural deficit, you’re invariably increasing your IGR.” He said Oyo State is bridging the infrastructural gap and increasing IGR “without raising taxes.”
He further challenged anyone whose tax rates had been increased o come forward with their claims, and it would be rectified.
Governor Makinde also assured his listeners that the state government will continue to ensure that it curtails the spate of insecurity in the State. He said that his administration has strengthened the security structures they met on the ground while the newly created ones like Amotekun are working in synergy with the existing ones.
He said the communication equipment they procured now made it possible for security agencies to easily interact and collaborate within all the nooks and crannies of the State. As opposed to when calls could not be made between Ogobomoso and the capital, Ibadan.
He concluded by urging all Oyo State residents to contribute their quota to ensure insecurity is defeated through voluntary policing and street vigilantes.
In his words, “Now, we are asking the banks to integrate all CCTV cameras installed in their branches into our own control centre. So please, you pinstalled this government, and we are accountable to you.
We’ll have appeal, if you see something, please say something to us. We’re going to listen to you, and where we fall short, we will make amends because we are all humans and therefore cannot score 100 per cent.”
