A call has been made to the Federal Government on the need to allow states to develop at their own pace as the country’s system of federalism should allow for the diversity of Nigeria to be reflected in the development of its states.
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, made the demand on Friday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He spoke during the commissioning of the dualised 12.5km Challenge-OdoOna Elewe-Ellebu-Apata Road, Ibadan.
Makinde argued that a one-size-fits-all approach to development would not work in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
The governor explained that each state has unique needs and resources, and as such should be allowed to use those resources to develop their own states, stressing that this would lead to more efficient and effective development and would ultimately benefit the entire country.
Highlighting that this approach would encourage competition and innovation among states, Makinde asserted that it would also lead to more effective use of resources.
He further said: “Let me use this opportunity to talk about the meeting we had a few days ago.
“We, the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party, including my brother here, we met in Abuja, and one of the key issues we discussed was the economic hardship our people are facing.
“Our focus at this time is helping our people overcome the challenges of the times.
“Some people continue to play politics and tell lies about how things are.
“I read claims that FAAC has doubled for states and local government areas.
“I think it’s just a lazy way to situate things.
“We must be talking about baking a bigger cake.
“FAAC is what everybody is talking about.
“Why are we even going to Abuja in the first instance to share FAAC?
“Were they doing that in the First Republic?
“Well, FAAC has moved up from about N6 billion per month to about N8 billion per month, but so have the responsibilities of the government.”
Makinde while promising to increase the level of infrastructural development in the state, added that he would work to bring more dividends of democracy to the people as a way of ensuring that they have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.
The governor named the newly commissioned road as Chief Theophilus Akinyele Way, noting that the road would cut down travel time by 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde announced the extension of wage awards to workers in the state by another six months.
Recall that the governor approved wage awards for state workers from October 2023 to March 2024 to cushion the effects of the removal of oil subsidy by the federal government.
Speaking at the event, the special guest of honour and Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, commended Makinde for his decisive and progressive mindedness, which, according to him, are essentially about the collective interest of the people.
Governor Mbah, in the same vein, called on political leaders to do more in building projects for the country.
He said: “We can only expand our economy through critical infrastructure like this one done by my brother, Engr. Seyi Makinde.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport in the state, Prof. Dahud Sangodoyi, in his welcome address stated that the road, which used to be a single carriage, was initially awarded by a former Governor of the state, Adebayo Alao-Akala, in 2008 and suffered neglect for eight years of the Abiola Ajimobi administration before it was re-awarded to Messrs. Kopek Construction Limited by the current administration.
While giving a breakdown of the road constructed during Omituntun 1.0 as 144.37 and 2.0 as 76.25 so far, Sangodoyin said that with the completion of the project, the Makinde administration has completed 220.62 kilometres of road under Omituntun 1.0 and Omituntun 2.0.
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In their separate goodwill messages, the Federal Controller of Works in Oyo State, Morounmubo Olarerin, said the administration of Governor Makinde was committed to delivering good road infrastructure in the state, adding that the governor has strictly kept to his promise to finish all incomplete projects that are strategic to the development of the state.
Similarly, the President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Niyi Ajewole, commended the governor for the infrastructural and uncommon developmental strides made through various projects.
