GOV MAKINDE: TWO YEARS ON

That Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State continues to confound many because of his uncommon approach to governance is a product of his unalloyed commitment to serve and deliver for the people of the state.
He has made it clear on many occasions that the people will remain the centre-piece of his governance-dynamics, such that the output and outcomes of government policies will target the people.

Therefore, when the World Bank conveyed the determination of the status of its support ($200m loan) for the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP) considering to withdraw from funding the project, it never referenced any issue of undue influence by the amiable Governor Makinde. The World Bank also did not say that contract costs were inflated. These two issues were never part of considerations by the World Bank in presenting the status of its determination about the project.

Therefore, the rumour being peddled by some disgruntled elements about Governor Makinde’s undue interference and inflation of contract costs is what it is: A lie from the pit of Hell! The World Bank referenced some administrative issues about confirmation of appointment of the project lead, as well as the issue of completion time. Whereas the issue of confirmation of appointment of the acting project lead only serves to assuage confidence, the issue of completion time is a function of human attachment to their lands which would be impacted by the projects.

The government needed to get the buy-in of owners of lands where the right-of-way of channels were to pass through. Locating families and land owners have impacted negatively on completion time. However, of more importance to Governor Makinde is value for money regarding the project.

If the past administration, after receiving over 70% of funds, was only able to complete 25% of the job, Governor Makinde is supremely qualified to ask questions about value-for-money. Or, is it that the people of Oyo State should be subjected to financial burden occasioned by the recklessness of the past administration? Are people saying Oyo State should be consigned to the slave burden of indebtedness?
According to records from the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Makinde administration has offset the dollar-denominated debt of the state by $24million, which at the conservative exchange rate of $1/N500, is N12billion.

Over a 24 month-period, that is an average of debt repayment of N500million each month in the last two years of the Makinde administration. N500million every month can take care of a number of socio-economic needs of the people of Oyo State.

Meanwhile, what those who are afraid of their shadows because of the roles they have played in the seeming waste of resources of Oyo people will not tell you, is that even in the letter sent to Governor Makinde by World Bank. The bank recognised Makinde’s “unwavering support to this important project for the safety and well-being of Ibadan’s citizens.”

And, indeed, for Governor Makinde to further demonstrate his “unwavering support to this important project for the safety and well-being of Ibadan’s citizens”, the issue of the completion date of the phase in question by June 30, 2022, has been addressed by the governor because he has assured the World Bank that even if the completion date of June next year was to falter, the Oyo State government under his watch would “continue to fund and complete works post-June 2022 project completion date, should project works at all Lots extend beyond the end date.”
This assurance can only come from a governor who believes in and is committed to the well-being of the people.

Not minding the rot Makinde met on ground regarding the IUFMP, and contrary to insinuations in some partisan and uneducated quarters about interests and lack of continuity, only last week, IUFMP awarded dredging of 45 streams within and around Ibadan metropolis, as part of its palliative measures.
The dredging exercise is ongoing, helping to provide instant relief to residents of flood-prone areas where structural interventions are yet to take place. Work on the long-term investments is ongoing on the channels of Agodi, Kudeti, Ogbere, Orogun, as earlier launched, barring the occasional drawbacks by the inclement weather.

• Akin Bidemi, Ibadan