Oyo: Electricity Project to power critical assets – Governor Makinde

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that the Independent Power Project (IPP) embarked upon by his administration would not only power the Government House but also other critical state assets in the state.

The Governor, who gave the assurance while speaking at the special Thanks Giving Service held at First Baptist Church, Igbojaye, Itesiwaju, Local Government Area of Oyo state, affirmed that the other critical state assets the 11megawatt project would power include, the street light within 10km radius, hospitals, schools, the Judiciary Complex and the stadium.

Reacting to wrong insinuations by those he described as “Some opposition elements,” Governor Makinde said his administration would continue to leverage the four comparative and competitive advantages of Oke Ogun and other zones of the state, which include agribusiness, tourism, solid minerals and commerce, admonishing critics to evaluate his performance based on whether he is fulfilling his electoral promises or not.

He disclosed that the Oke-Ogun zone of the state would feature prominently when talking about competitive and comparative advantages in agribusiness, with the Brent Farm at Ijio, said to be the most fertile in Nigeria; the development of solid minerals; tourism, with the hanging lake at Ado-Awaye and the deepest Gorge Dam in Africa at Ikere; and commerce, as Oyo State has an international border, which is between Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axis.

“As a government, if we want to lead our people from poverty to prosperity, we have to focus on those areas. We need to develop our infrastructure and that is why, six months into this government, we awarded the Moniya-Iseyin road. If we also talk about commerce, Saki is almost the furthermost city in Oyo State, which is closer to the border with the Republic of Benin. That was why we focused on completing the Saki Township road, which is done right now.”

He disclosed that since other zones, such as Ogbomoso and Oyo, among others, also have one or two things they can contribute to the development of the state, his administration decided to construct the Oyo-Iseyin road, passing through Fasola, the state’s agribusiness hub and the same thing in Ibadan, because anyone coming from Lagos and going to the North or the East or other parts of the Southwest, would pass through Ibadan.

“Ibadan is almost the centre of commerce for the entire Southwest. That is why we are saying anybody who is passing through Ibadan should have a good experience and want to come back. Those are some of the steps that this government has taken to ensure that we are expanding our economy and I’m very sure we are on the path of taking many of our people out of poverty.”

Earlier, in his sermon, the President of Oke-Ogun Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr Gabriel Olanrewaju, noted that the nation needs trustworthy leaders, not just for political position but for uniting the people, keeping them focused and giving them direction, in order to survive the challenges facing the nation, adding that leaders must also fear God in their dealings.

“Your Excellency, you have a lot of special advisers and other aides but I can tell you that the knowledge of men sometimes fails. You need wisdom from above like that of King Solomon. It is fruitful, pure, merciful, impartial, submissive and fair and we want it in your life. Always draw from the wisdom from above. Please, whatever God says you should do to turn things around in Nigeria, especially in Oyo State, do it,” Olanrewaju advised.

The service also witnessed the presentation of awards to outstanding dignitaries including Governor Makinde; the state’s Head of Service, Ololade Agboola; Chairman Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola; and Mrs Lizzy Ayodele.

PIAK