Last week, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, had a three-day inspection tour of the three senatorial districts, where critical infrastructure projects were ongoing. Sheriff Balogunwho was on his entourage, writes
The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, recently led other stakeholders in the state on a three-day inspection tour of ongoing projects in the three senatorial districts in the state. For those who partook in that exercise, it was not a child’s play. With that initiative, not only did Amosun score significant points in the art of governance and performance rating, he also sent a strong message to the opposition as the countdown to the 2015 elections has begun in earnest.
Ironically, there is hardly nothing extra-ordinary in project inspection by successive administrations. Indeed, it has become a characteristic trait of governments to embark on project tour or inspection in order to put authenticity to their claims.
But the Amosun project inspection came with a peculiar variation. It differed in standard setting and was a sharp variation from the known practice. It was not the typical political affair. As a professional in government, Amosun clearly understood the need to carry along every stakeholder in the system, and especially the balancing of the politician and professional stake in the polity.
Some of the stakeholders on tour with Amosun included traditional rulers, elders, market women and men, youths, members of Community Development Associations and co-operative societies, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association (RTRAN).
But the Amosun project inspection came with a peculiar variation. It differed in standard setting and was a sharp variation from the known practice. It was not the typical political affair. As a professional in government, Amosun clearly understood the need to carry along every stakeholder in the system, and especially the balancing of the politician and professional stake in the polity.
Some of the stakeholders on tour with Amosun included traditional rulers, elders, market women and men, youths, members of Community Development Associations and co-operative societies, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association (RTRAN).
Others were National Auto Technician Association (NATA), trade associations, farmers, butchers, interest groups, professional groups like Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), as well as the general public.
The tour started last Tuesday in Abeokuta, the state capital, from where the train moved to Ogun West senatorial district to visit projects such as model schools and roads construction in the district. The first stop-over was in Ayetoro where a road was being constructed to link Olodo area of the Ogun West.
The tour started last Tuesday in Abeokuta, the state capital, from where the train moved to Ogun West senatorial district to visit projects such as model schools and roads construction in the district. The first stop-over was in Ayetoro where a road was being constructed to link Olodo area of the Ogun West.
The train immediately left for Imeko Afon, then to Ilara, Alagbe, Tombolo, Ijoun, Tata and Egua, where the 107 kilometre road linking four of the five local government areas in the senatorial district was inspected.
In Ilara town, Amosun and his entourage were received by Oloola of Ilara, Oba Samuel Adeluyi, Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, Chairman of Imeko-Afon Local Government, Alhaji Tajudeen Ayilara, the townsfolk and trade unions, interest groups and associations. Here, Amosun said the 110 Km Ilara road remained the "most important of all the roads projects" embarked upon in the state by his administration.
He added that the road construction project was in fulfilment of his campaign promises and that the road would be completed between three and six months’ time.
In Ilara town, Amosun and his entourage were received by Oloola of Ilara, Oba Samuel Adeluyi, Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, Chairman of Imeko-Afon Local Government, Alhaji Tajudeen Ayilara, the townsfolk and trade unions, interest groups and associations. Here, Amosun said the 110 Km Ilara road remained the "most important of all the roads projects" embarked upon in the state by his administration.
He added that the road construction project was in fulfilment of his campaign promises and that the road would be completed between three and six months’ time.
From Egua, the train moved to Ibese and then, Ilaro where one of the 15 Model Secondary Schools sited across the state was inspected. However, from Ilaro, the team moved through Papalanto to Ota where the Ilo Awela road was under focus while the newly constructed Recreation Centre built by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Ota was commissioned. There, the day one inspection terminated.
But while alluding to some of the criticism that had trailed his government, Amosun said critics had thought that his administration would collapse because of the capital intensive projects being undertaken and given the poor financial situation he inherited.
He said because of the precarious state of the state's finances as at May 2011, no financial institution wanted to deal with the state in respect of credit facility but that following his administration's financial re-engineering strategy; it has begun to secure short term borrowing to execute long term projects.
But while alluding to some of the criticism that had trailed his government, Amosun said critics had thought that his administration would collapse because of the capital intensive projects being undertaken and given the poor financial situation he inherited.
He said because of the precarious state of the state's finances as at May 2011, no financial institution wanted to deal with the state in respect of credit facility but that following his administration's financial re-engineering strategy; it has begun to secure short term borrowing to execute long term projects.
He therefore noted that the path to that relief has been “hard and tortuous" but that it is a "cross" the administration had to bear courageously to move the state forward. Amosun ascribed the administration's achievements in the last two years to God, the support of the good people of Ogun State and the financial re-engineering in the state brought about by his team's financial expertise.
“With what we met on the ground when we came on board, nobody would want to touch us with the longest of poles over credit facility; we had to take the bull by the horn. It was a cross we had to carry and so, we are borrowing short term and spending it long term.
“Yes, it is hard and tortuous but that is the fact we met otherwise we (the government) will collapse. That is what they think will happen, because they believed that there was no way out but with the benevolence of God, the support of our people and above all, our professional calling has stood us out in good stead.
“With what we met on the ground when we came on board, nobody would want to touch us with the longest of poles over credit facility; we had to take the bull by the horn. It was a cross we had to carry and so, we are borrowing short term and spending it long term.
“Yes, it is hard and tortuous but that is the fact we met otherwise we (the government) will collapse. That is what they think will happen, because they believed that there was no way out but with the benevolence of God, the support of our people and above all, our professional calling has stood us out in good stead.
“It is not only the roads, we have very good health centres we built, we are leaving nobody in doubt regarding our genuine intention. We know that governor comes and governor goes and we know that it is by what we do that we will be remembered for.
“Some of the projects, you will discover we are seven months ahead of time because we are working day and night. We are accomplishing this because of financial engineering. Just last year, we paid about N12bn on money borrowed; this year, we are expecting to pay between N15bn and N18bn back. What (our detractors) don't understand is that if I borrowed maybe N25bn and I was able payback N18bn, I’d be left with N7bn, so, I can borrow again for capital projects,” he said.
“Some of the projects, you will discover we are seven months ahead of time because we are working day and night. We are accomplishing this because of financial engineering. Just last year, we paid about N12bn on money borrowed; this year, we are expecting to pay between N15bn and N18bn back. What (our detractors) don't understand is that if I borrowed maybe N25bn and I was able payback N18bn, I’d be left with N7bn, so, I can borrow again for capital projects,” he said.
On the second day of the tour, the train moved from Abeokuta straight to Ilishan in Ogun East area of the state. The villagers along Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye road, who had lined up the roadside, lauded the governor for the road expansion projects in the area and prayed that he wins his reelection in 2015.
From there, the train berthed in Ago Iwoye where the six-lane road and bridges under construction were inspected before it moved to Ijebu-Igbo where Amosun looked at the newly refurbished health clinic as well as donated some security equipment to the security agencies for maintenance of law and order in the area.
From there, the train berthed in Ago Iwoye where the six-lane road and bridges under construction were inspected before it moved to Ijebu-Igbo where Amosun looked at the newly refurbished health clinic as well as donated some security equipment to the security agencies for maintenance of law and order in the area.
The governor also re-affirmed the readiness of his administration to transform all the rural areas in the state into modern cities, saying "there will be no rural area in Ogun as time goes on."
He said the state government was determined to change the face of the Gateway State in all sectors, adding: "Our determination is to develop Ogun. I know that governors will come and go, but you will be remembered for whatever you do. We are doing a lot of financial re-engineering as well as working night and day to make sure that we achieve our objectives," he added.
Impressed by the huge followership and warm reception that greeted the tour by Local Government Council chairmen, traditional rulers and residents, Amosun said "It's been wonderful. It is even beyond our expectation and that is the tonic that pushes us to do more."
He explained that the project tour "is to let them have a feel of what we are doing so that we don't leave anybody in doubt as to our genuine intention."
He said the state government was determined to change the face of the Gateway State in all sectors, adding: "Our determination is to develop Ogun. I know that governors will come and go, but you will be remembered for whatever you do. We are doing a lot of financial re-engineering as well as working night and day to make sure that we achieve our objectives," he added.
Impressed by the huge followership and warm reception that greeted the tour by Local Government Council chairmen, traditional rulers and residents, Amosun said "It's been wonderful. It is even beyond our expectation and that is the tonic that pushes us to do more."
He explained that the project tour "is to let them have a feel of what we are doing so that we don't leave anybody in doubt as to our genuine intention."
Commenting on the agitation for the creation of states from the present Ogun, he said "If they create Ijebu State tomorrow, it will be on record that the present administration constructed the first standard roads with full complements of quality facilities."
He commended the people for their support in his two years in office and added that "when you are determined, with the support of the people and the benevolence of God, you can go as far as you want."
He commended the people for their support in his two years in office and added that "when you are determined, with the support of the people and the benevolence of God, you can go as far as you want."
From Ijebu Igbo, the train proceeded to Atan, Ijebu Ife and then to Itele, where another model school under construction was inspected. The journey continued in Ijebu Ode where the governor inspected the road and flyover bridges being constructed while the roads on Oguntuga and Saka Ashiru Streets, also in Ijebu Ode and constructed by the Amosun administration will be commissioned soon.
Day two of the tour ended with the inspection of the model school in Ikenne and the six-lane road and a flyover bridge in Sagamu.
Day two of the tour ended with the inspection of the model school in Ikenne and the six-lane road and a flyover bridge in Sagamu.
The third day which ended the inspection tour was at Ogun Central where the first stopover was at Mowe and Ibafo before moving to Magboro where roads were being constructed as part of the urban renewal programme of the Amosun administration.
The train moved on to Isheri where the government was constructing the first road in the state with paving stones. From Isheri, the governor and his team moved back to Abeokuta and continued the tour of the state capital from Onikolobo to Pansheke, Omida, Ibara bridge, Totoro road, Oba Odeleye Park where a beautification exercise was almost completed.
The train moved on to Isheri where the government was constructing the first road in the state with paving stones. From Isheri, the governor and his team moved back to Abeokuta and continued the tour of the state capital from Onikolobo to Pansheke, Omida, Ibara bridge, Totoro road, Oba Odeleye Park where a beautification exercise was almost completed.
Also, the Akin Olugbade road that is being reconstructed down to Totoro and back at Lafenwa were also inspected. From Lafenwa, the inspection train moved through the road and flyover bridges being constructed along Ago Oba, Itoku, Sapon, Ijaye, Iyana Mortuary and then did a detour to look at the Madojutimi - Muda Lawal Stadium road and finally returned to Abiola Way to inspect the six-lane roads.
Beyond the physical inspection of the projects, it is believed that by simply walking his talk in just two years of assuming office with staggering testimony of good governance, Amosun may have complicated the chances of the opposition in 2015, who in turn may have also been forced to beat a retreat to their drawing board.
For political observers, the surest way for Amosun to return to office without much ado is to sustain as well as step up the ongoing revolution in the administration of the gateway state.
For political observers, the surest way for Amosun to return to office without much ado is to sustain as well as step up the ongoing revolution in the administration of the gateway state.
No comments:
Post a Comment