The Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, says that his administration would explore solid mineral potentials of communities in the Iwajowa local government area of the state, when re-elected.
The governor, who stated this on Tuesday during campaign visits to several communities in Iwajowa local government area, also disclosed that his administration had spent up to N40 billion on the construction and reconstruction of different roads that link the Oke Ogun Zone to other zones of the state.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, on behalf of the Media Committee of the Governor Seyi Makinde Campaign Council, indicated that the governor met with the League of Imams and Alfas, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and non-indigenes in the Council.
At the separate meetings Makinde explained that his administration had impacted massively on the economy of the state by building infrastructure that targets the economic expansion agenda of the government and connecting all zones of the state.
The governor, who appreciated religious leaders for their prayers and support and for maintaining religious harmony since he became governor in 2019, said part of his administration’s commitment to reducing infrastructure deficit under the “Omituntun 1.0” (referring to the governor’s first term in office) was the approval of the construction of Idiko Ile-Ijio Road and the partial reconstruction of Idiko Ile-Alaga Road.
While speaking at the Iwere-Ile Central Mosque, venue of the meeting with Muslim leaders, Governor Makinde said:
‘The resources of the government is limited, but one of the routes that can make the economy of this zone to be integrated into the wider setup is the road from Ijio-Iwere-Alaga. And all the roads we have been doing are of good quality.
‘The ongoing complete reconstruction of the Ijio road to Idiko Ile to Alaga is about N1.3bn.
‘Once they are done with that, under Omituntun 2.0 (referring to a second tenure), we can do complete overlay that can make it last for another 15 years. So, be patient with us, please,’ said Governor Makinde while speaking at the Iwere-Ile Central Mosque, venue of the meeting with Muslim leaders.
Responding to the Chief Imam’s request for a higher institution, he noted that not all the local government areas in Oyo state could get higher institutions, explaining that over N5bn had been invested into the institution at Iseyin, and his government would not make empty promises but at the slightest opportunity, Iwajowa local government area would be considered.
He maintained that he had fulfilled his promises to the people of the state on education, poverty eradication and security in the last 44 months, assuring that the state would witness more developments under Omituntun 2.0, referring to a second tenure.
Makinde equally urged residents of the local government area to vote for him and his running mate, Bayo Lawal, and also for Ogunsola Oladapo as the member representing the Iwajowa State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly in the March 11 governorship election.
He also rallied the residents to vote for Akinwale Akinwole and Najimdeen Oyedeji (Oshine), the PDP candidates for the Oyo North Senatorial District and Iseyin/Kajola/Iwajowa/Itesiwaju House of Representatives seats respectively in the February 25th presidential and National Assembly elections.
The governor also used the opportunity to advise the Muslim Ummah not to allow anyone use religion to deceive them regarding the 2023 governorship election, noting that his administration had never and would never do anything against the wishes of the Muslim Ummah.
Earlier in their various remarks, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Muslim clerics had commended the governor for his fairness to all religions and his people-oriented leadership in the last four years and equally promised to support his re-election bid.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
