Soji Ajibola, Ibadan
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has described the eight years rule of the leading opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, as a waste.
Speaking during inauguration of phase two of Light-Up Oyo, Under-G-LAUTECH Road Projects, the governor said the people of the state regretted voting APC into power.
The governor, who declared that APC would be no match for PDP in the 2023 general elections, insisted that no charlatans would ever govern Oyo again.
The governor also used the occasion to fire a warning salvo at opposition politicians in the state, saying they have nothing to offer, adding that the same opposition politicians who have been posturing about 2023 were roundly rejected by the people in 2019, stating that such politicians have nothing to offer by trying to distract him with talks about 2023.
He urged them to calm down, as, according to him, it is too early to start talking about second term.
Makinde stated that even if he decides not to seek re-election in 2023, the state will not fall into the hands of charlatans anymore.
“Let me sound this: if I will not seek re-election, I am sure that Oyo State will never, again, be in the hands of charlatans. So, calm down. It is even too early to start talking about a second term. Some parties that do not have even one councilor are saying that they will send me out of the Government House in 2023,” he said.
Amid effusive commendations for the successful execution of Light-Up Oyo project, Phase One, which saw some major roads and streets in Ibadan come alive with lights deploying Smart LED street-lighting technology, the governor inaugurated the second phase of the Light-Up Oyo Project, in Ogbomoso town.
The governor also inaugurated the construction of the 3-kilometre Under-G-LAUTECH Road.
The governor disclosed that the second phase of the Light-Up Oyo Project was awarded at the cost of N28,360,975,609.76.
He said the project was expected to cover 223.8 kilometres of roads across all the zones of the state, commending the state’s Bureau of Public Procurement for saving the state over a billion Naira after it vetted the original proposal.
He added that the second phase of the Light-Up Oyo Project was expected to be completed within nine months, noting that the first phase in Ibadan is already at 87.5 per cent completion.
He stated that the phase one would have been 100 per cent completed but for the COVID-19 pandemic, which stopped a number of expatriates from making it to the country.
The project was awarded to Messrs Ledco Allied Enterprises, following what the government saw as an impeccable track record brought to bear in carrying out the Phase One of the project and the smart LED street lighting technology used for the project, which was first of its kind in Oyo State in terms of the magnitude of deployment, efficiency and financial commitment.
According to the Project Consultant, Governor Makinde’s recognition of security as the first requirement for development is the driving force behind the Light-Up Project, which, he noted, would, apart from providing illumination, have wi-fi and CCTV cameras incorporated in it.
Makinde stressed the importance of the Light-Up Oyo Project to the economic expansion and security enhancement agenda of his administration, stating that with the coming on board of the project, residents would feel more at peace to carry out economic activities in a more secure environment.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Architect Adebowale Balogun, said that the reconstruction of the 3.0km length of Under G-Stadium Lautech was aimed at eliminating friction and congestion and improving the capacity of the road.
He said the road would improve transportation for the road users, particularly the students and members of the University Community, saying: “The road is being constructed by Direct Intervention of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport at about 65 per cent the cost, if constructed by contract.