By Adeyinka Adeniran
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has said the reason the state economy is on a progressive trajectory is because the state government injects roughly N24billion aside private sector funds into it every four weeks.
This is as the governor called on political leaders and Nigerians generally, not to be discouraged with the current challenges, but be assured that the tough times won’t last for too long.
He spoke in a remark while hosting dignitaries, top government functional, council chairmen and party faithful who were at his private residence to pay homage on him on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
The visitors, Muslim faithful embarked on the visit shortly after offering the Eid prayers at the Eid Prayer Ground, Agodi Gate, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital city.
A former governor of the state and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja, led a delegation including the Senator representing Oyo South at the National Assembly, Sharafadeen Alli and his aides.
The Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal in company of the National Deputy Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs Faosat Sanni, among others were also in attendance.
Speaking while addressing the visitors, Governor Makinde said, the amount is different from the various forms of investment that the private sector is also contributing to the economy.
According to Makinde, the figure is made up of monies paid the state workers, both at the state and the local government levels, adding that when such monies are released to the people, they in turn redirect it into the economy through trade, commerce and business.
He however added that the state could achieve the level of progress and development because of the existing peace among the people, urging the people to ensure they sustain same.
He recounted that in time past, people of different political parties could not attend the Eid prayers together because of political differences, a situation which he said has been reversed since his administration came to power.
He added that development is possible in the state because of the peaceful coexistence, praying that the state would never go back to such dark days.
Makinde said, “Development is possible because there is peace in Oyo state. If we cast our mind back to 2007, if we want to go to Eid, warnings and threat would have been flying around among political players. But, away from those period, we are glad that, that period has gone.
“In an atmosphere where we all work together in a peaceful manner, there will be progress, development and that is what we are witnessing in Oyo state today.
“And it’s my prayers that Oyo State will never go back to those periods again. If we are patient, all what we all wanted, God will do it for us all.
“The Deputy Governor earlier said about N12billion has been going into the state economy, but I can say to you that it’s N24billion, every four weeks because the state government is paying around N14billion, the local government is about N10billion and they are all spending the money into this economy and that is just from the government alone.
“On the private sector side, a lot of people are getting comfortable to come and invest in Oyo state. Yesterday (Saturday), we were at Ijaye Farm Settlement, because a wholesale market is coming there and I went there to inspect the place. And we will be surprise that, there had been visionaries here before.
“In Ijaye Farm settlement, 27 hectares of land is what we met there and all that we want to do is just about 3,000 hectares out of 27,000 hectares . Someone had a vision of 27,000hectares and instead of us to be thinking of about 50,000 hectares but because the decline is such that we had to start afresh. But, if we sustain this atmosphere, more will definitely be better.
“But, because we have peace in the state, we can now see progress, development and peaceful coexistence and we want to sustain it.”
He urged all the members of the public, particularly political office holders to do their best in whatever capacity they find themselves, adding that no matter the challenges, it won’t last forever.
Speaking earlier, the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal and former Governor Ladoja commended the Makinde led administration for the various efforts at sustaining peace as well as various developmental progress the state is making across the various sectors.
