By Adeyinka Adeniran
Lawmakers in the Oyo State House of Assembly have defended the approval of a N100 billion loan facility for the state government, describing criticisms of the decision as products of ignorance and political mischief.
They explained that the facility, obtained from United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, would provide additional funding for critical infrastructure projects, while a separate N300 billion facility would enable the government to refinance an existing contractors’ finance facility obtained from Access Bank at a lower interest rate.
Speaking, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, representing Atiba State Constituency, said concerns that Governor Seyi Makinde was imposing excessive financial obligations on the incoming administration failed to consider the purpose and structure of the financing arrangement.
“People may think the governor is making a huge financial commitment for the incoming administration, but my colleague has explained the reasons behind the House’s approval of the loan,” Oyekola said.
He explained that the existing N300 billion contractors’ finance facility attracted an interest rate of 26 per cent under Access Bank, while UBA had offered to take over the facility at 22 per cent, representing a four-percentage-point reduction.
Oyekola said the refinancing arrangement should be considered alongside the state’s infrastructure needs, noting that the additional N100 billion was intended to support ongoing development projects rather than merely increase the existing borrowing.
“So, in essence, we are talking about N100 billion in additional financing. My point is that both the N100 billion and the N300 billion should be a shared responsibility,” he said.
The Atiba lawmaker acknowledged the government’s infrastructure efforts but expressed concern about the politicisation of development projects, particularly the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road, whose cost he described as substantial.
He argued that public discussions about infrastructure should consider project costs, expected benefits and the need to ensure that development spending reaches communities across the state.
Also defending the approval, Deputy Majority Leader of the House and Chairman of the Committee on Appropriation, Finance and State Economic Planning, Hon. Sunkanmi Babalola, representing Egbeda state constituency, urged critics to seek clarification before commenting on issues they might not fully understand.
“Where there are issues they do not fully understand, it is better to seek clarification calmly so that we can explain the situation as an institution,” Babalola said.
He explained that reducing the interest rate on the existing N300 billion facility from 26 to 22 per cent could lower the government’s borrowing costs and potentially free up resources for other developmental priorities.
“The difference is four per cent. When you calculate four per cent of N300 billion, you will realise that it represents a substantial amount of money. The savings from the lower interest rate can be channelled into other developmental programmes that will benefit the people of Oyo State,” he said.
Babalola added that the executive returned to the Assembly for approval after obtaining the improved refinancing offer, describing the process as a demonstration of respect for legislative procedure and democratic governance.
He also dismissed concerns that the additional N100 billion facility would be used for recurrent expenditure, insisting that it was intended to support critical capital projects across the state.
“It is important to emphasise that this money is not intended for overhead expenditure or consumables. It is meant for critical capital projects across Oyo State,” he said.
Among the projects cited by the lawmakers were the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Oyo town, the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road and the Ido–Eruwa Road, alongside other ongoing road and healthcare infrastructure projects across the state.
Babalola also referenced the Gintola International Airport project in Ibarapa, expressing the government’s commitment to completing it before the end of Makinde’s administration in 2027.
He said adequate funding was necessary to complete ongoing projects, improve connectivity, expand access to public services and ensure that communities outside Ibadan benefited from government investment.
