The All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress in Oyo State, on Wednesday, took swipes at Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, accusing it of misplaced priorities and reckless spending on recently awarded projects.
Among others, the government recently awarded the overhaul of the Oyo Government House for N63.4bn, procurement of two security surveillance aircraft for N7.7bn, and N595m for the Light-Up Oyo Solar project, apart from a monthly allocation of N190m for its maintenance.
The government also approved N83bn additional funding for the completion of 72km of the 110km Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project.
Other approvals at Tuesday’s state executive council meeting included N36,346,000,000 for the asphaltic improvement of Secretariat Road, Trans Amusement–UI–Sango Road, and Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Road; and N6,801,000,000 for the reconstruction of the Mobil–Oluyole Industrial Estate road network.
Defending the purchase of the aircraft, the government, in a statement on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the two DA 42 MNG model aircraft are for “Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, and equipped with sophisticated surveillance gadgets capable of identifying targets from both high and low altitudes.
“The two aircraft already procured cost N7,763,360,000 and will effectively back up Amotekun and other security forces in the state to prevent and destroy bandits in their hideouts.”
The statement added that the aircraft would assist security agencies in tackling banditry, illegal mining, and kidnapping across the state’s vast landmass.
On the choice of fixed-wing aircraft over helicopters, the statement noted that the “DA 42 MNG models are less expensive to maintain, the spare parts are accessible and also as the Nigerian Air Force possesses a number of the model, which gives room for synergy.”
Reacting separately on Wednesday, the APC and ADC faulted the projects, saying the government was ignoring pressing issues such as dilapidated schools, inner roads, and local government funding.
Oyo APC spokesperson, Wale Sadare, described the spending as wasteful and disconnected from the realities facing residents.
He also held that the Makinde government could not maintain the aircraft.
Sadare said, “It’s the height of profligacy and executive rascality. The projects he is awarding at inflated costs are not even primary on the scale of preference as they would not have a direct impact on the lives of the masses in the state.
“There should be regular roundtables between the governor and relevant stakeholders such as heads of security agencies, traditional leaders, community heads, religious leaders, and civil society organisations, among others, for proper briefings on the security situation at the grassroots to fashion out measures to nip in the bud brewing and festering challenges.
“There should be in place a Security Trust Fund to cater for the needs of crime fighters and others.
“The administration of Governor Makinde cannot maintain such aircraft if purchased, given the fact that the same administration failed to maintain the Agodi Government House until it became an eyesore.”
Similarly, the state chairman of the ADC, Olona Yinka, described the projects as a clear case of misplaced priorities, urging the governor to channel funds to the 33 local government areas instead.
Olona said, “Well, my view is that I could see it as a misplacement of priority, because that’s not what the people of the state are yearning for, for now.
“Things are very hard. People find it difficult to have their three square meals. You can imagine spending over N63bn on the renovation of Government House and now over N7bn for aircraft, that’s not what we want.
“Give this money to the 33 local governments, let them expand. There should be room for economic expansion and social expansion. Like the tar roads, schools are already dilapidated. Release the money for the renovation of these schools instead of embarking on shoddy jobs. I will advise him to release the money to all the 33 local governments in the state.”
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