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Saturday Newswatch, February 8, 2014
Politics
Following Ajimobi’s urban ‘APC’ll collapse’ renewal programme
Continued from Page 79
Olusakin Babalola
G
overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State would have been among the fortunate students who read “Ibadan,â€? a 19-word poem by John Pepper Clark. There, the poet aptly described the town as “running splash of rust and Ă? among seven hills like broken china in the sun.â€? Perhaps the description of the state capital which may not be pleasing enough to the governor, coupled with
º convinced the Ajimobi’s administration to embark on an urban renewal programme. So when he assumed power, one of his prioritised programmes was urban renewal or environmental
Âş Âş extended beyond the state capital which is now wearing Âť" Âť Ogbomoso, Oyo, Iseyin, Saki Tede and other major towns Ă? Âź wind of change despite the adverse views of the minority in the opposition. Ajimobi declared that he would not lose focus in his look that would equally enable the state retain its Âź
some people see the town as the dirtiest state capital in the country. He constantly displays this with the slogan - “cleanliness is next to Godliness,� emphasising that no sane society could environment. In order to realise the # #
# Âş # by traders who have their shops and structures on major roads - they were sacked from the roads after advance Âş enlightenment on the hazards involved in street trading. Noteworthy, was the role played by the former commissioner for environment, Mr. Lowo Obisesan who was always
## ] the demolition exercise. The commissioner was performing a patriotic job that should be appreciated, but was misconstrued by the traders. Indeed, Saturday Newswatch gathered that politicians in the opposition capitalised on that to incite members of the public against the governor especially as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains wouldn’t see anything good in the exercise which they exploited to curry patronage.
Prince Dotun Oyelade, the media aide to Senator Rashidi Ladoja of the Accord Party (AP), condemned the policy which he explained was not in tandem with the welfare of the masses. He condemned the project he believed threw many out of job, contending that the state government was unmindful of the plight of the masses it claimed to represent. Nevertheless, the government was undaunted about the task it set out to $
Âş Âź " The government ceaselessly stressed its genuine intention for the people with a
I always see changes anytime I come back to Ibadan; changes in infrastructural development; changes in city renewal; changes in quality of life; changes in orderliness on the streets and changes in the cleanliness of the streets. That is really what good governance is all about
Ajimobi said the loan would boost the traders’ business activities. He humorously counselled them not to spend the money by marrying new wives but strictly invest it on their businesses. He urged them to consider the issue of repayment as a top priority. He also advised the traders’ union to maintain a clean environment while carrying out their business activities in line with the urban renewal programme of the government. Chairman of the union, Alhaji Adekunle Alagunfon, commended the governor for providing a conducive environment for his members, describing the loan as highly relieving and praise-worthy. He pledged that his members would make prudent use of Ajimobi the money. Similarly, the national promise to build as many president of the union, Mr. neighbourhood markets as John Osamede, who was possible to accommodate the represented by his media " aide, Mr. Festus Aleke, The governor honoured his lauded Ajimobi for his words by building markets unprecedented achievements with lockups and open in the last two years, saying stalls at Scout Camp, in the he is impressed by the Challenge area of Ibadan breakeven in infrastructural recently and inaugurated them. The markets were given development in the state. He pledged the support out free to those displaced of his union towards the at the Challenge and Molete re-election project of the markets. governor to complete his Government also went ahead to empower the traders good work. “Let me quickly place on record, the laudable with N20 million grants achievements of the governor. recently. The event was Your record of success in witnessed by members of the the area of infrastructural state executive council, local development will forever government chairmen and remain indelible in the history other stakeholders. of Oyo State. The governor According to Ajimobi, “the has touched virtually every distribution of the cheques sector of the economy. I can Âş # feel the purse of the people of promise to assist the traders Oyo State and the joy in their by improving their business hearts,â€? he said. as well as raising their President of Tijanniya standard of living,â€? adding Islamic Movement in the that the gesture would be state, Usman Sabit Akanfe, replicated in other markets said he is pleased with the achievements of Governor living standard for traders. Ajimobi, urging him to He commended them for maintain the tempo. the obedience they displayed Former Vice President and for which they were Abubakar Atiku, during his being compensated, saying recent visit to Ibadan, paid a Ăƒ "Ă„ # courtesy visit to the governor, and declared that he was convince others who are yet impressed by the positive to comply with government changes in Ibadan metropolis. Âť Âź His words: “What always streets in their own interest. gladdens my heart is that I He appealed to the elated always see changes take place traders to invest the money loaned them wisely and repay in Ibadan metropolis. “I always see changes at the appropriate time for so anytime I come back
" to Ibadan; changes in Our reporter learnt that the infrastructural development; gesture had been extended to changes in city renewal;
º changes in quality of life; from a N50 million interestchanges in orderliness on free loan. the streets and changes in While speaking at the event the cleanliness of the streets. held at the secretariat of That is really what good the butchers’ association in governance is all about.� Moniya in the Akinyele Local Government Area of the state,
will win the presidency come 2015 and that is exactly what the Njike Igbo is canvassing for, trying to bring this three political parties of Igbo extraction together with other smaller parties, and to front a common presidential candidate. We have approached Orji Uzor Kalu; he is an Igboman, and we can never ignore it.
You have been around, you have led a political party, you have ambition for governorship; what is your opinion about Imo State? Is the state moving forward or backward? Well, I will say Imo State is not moving backward, rather it is moving forward. Because we are all growing, so if I say it is stagnant, it is not the best thing to say. I will later that day, IBC carried a story that the Commissioner has cautioned school heads from taking illegal fees. Which means I was right! If this can happen in a school that is in Owerri Municipal, what happens to schools at the local areas? So, where lies his free education? They are all games, trying to deceive those who are less privileged in information. Tell me one project he has commissioned since he came on board. However, whatever he is doing now is his best. Rochas is trying his best and he cannot give Imo more than his best. So, if you think you are going to get any magic from this government, forget it. Last year, they said rainy season stopped them from work. We have had dry season from December up to now. Go round the state and see whether there is anywhere any construction work is going on. There is no where construction work is going on. We are in dry season, maybe by later part of February, rainy season will begin and they will say the rain is here. Okay, the JPROS Road, the road that cost about N1.5 billion which they paid and over paid by N200 million; what happened to that road? Go and check, from Emmanuel College to Orlu Road Junction, pass through that road and see. I drive round the state, Æ Â � " º see why the governance of this state is supposed to be given to somebody who is resident in the state. Not people from diaspora.
Are you saying we made a mistake in 2011? Well, I will say the Imo people made a mistake; they thought what they saw would have been good for them. But it is unfortunate. I believe some of
# º º they did. But, however, there is still time for the man to improve. He has a year plus for him to lead, so he could perform magic if the money is there. But I don’t think Imo State has that money anymore because if they had the money, construction work would have been going on this dry season. This means there is no money to go ahead with any other projects. As you know, the last year in any government is a year of politics. So, if you are thinking that there is going to be any magic between now and May 29, 2015, think twice, because the concentration will now be on politics and politicking.