Oyo’s Makinde under APC, ADC’s intense fire over N7.7bn security aircraft, other waste of resources

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde on Wednesday came under intense verbal attack over misplaced priority by the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress for award of contracts that were of benefit to the people.

Both parties listed several projects considered as conduit piples and of no value to the people which include, 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.

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Other awarded contracts were N83bn additional funding for the completion of 72km of the 110km Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project 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.

These contracts were awarded in a single swoop on Tuesday at the State Executive Council Meeting in Ibadan.
Amid the outbursts by the opposition parties in the State and the citizens, Oyo State Commission for Information, Dotun Oyelade said the 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.

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“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.”

In their reactions, the two political parties in the State insisted that Makinde’s administration failed to identify peoples immediate and urgent needs, and rather embarking on frivolous projects.

The ADC and APC suggested the immediate reconstruction of dilapidated schools, inner roads, and local government funding.

The Oyo State APC spokesperson, Wale Sadare said, Makinde’s administration was embarking on wasteful spending, while he has been disconnected from the realities facing residents, even as his administration will not be able to 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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