By Adeyinka Adeniran
No fewer than 44,803 residents of the Oyo state from 14 communities have benefited from 41 micro-projects, co-sponsored by the State, the Federal Government and the World Bank.
The Chairman, Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA), Abideen Adeaga made the disclosure at Igboho, Oorelope local government on Wednesday, during a projects inspection tour, carried out by the agency across the state.
He said the works are nearing completion while standard was upheld by the various Community Project Management Committees (CPMCs) who were saddled with the responsibility of undertaking each project for the sake of ownership, as prescribed under the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.
The inspection team, led by the agency’s Chairman, include the General Manager, Mr Salau Jelili and the Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Rotimi Raji among other staff members of OYCSDA.
Some areas visited include: Abebi-Opoyeosa-Ifesowapo Community, Ibadan North-West Local Government, Idera-Oluwa Community, Ibadan North-East Local Government, Kobomoje-Ogundepo-Ogundeji Community, Ibadan South-East Local Government, Aroro-Makinde Community at Akinyele Local Government and Lagun Community, Lagelu Local Government.
Others are Oremeji-Atolu-Idi Oro Community at Ona-Ara Local Government, Ope Odu Alapata- Oja Baale, Lagelu Local Government, Lagbedu-Orile Community at Ogo-Oluwa Local Government, Olorunsogo Ifesowapo Community, Ogbomoso North Local Government and Irewolede Community at Ogbomoso South Local Government.
Also visited are micro-projects at Oorelope Community at Oorelope Local Government, Okan Awuru Community, Saki East Local Government, Irawo-Parapo Community, Atisbo Local Government and Olorunbawase-Oke Odo Community at Ibarapa Central Local Government.
Adetokunbo said history will never forget the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for approving fund for the projects, which will add positive values to the lives of residents of the benefiting communities.
He maintained that the agency, in its approach, make lists of beneficiaries from each community as directed by the World Bank, so as to ascertain the impacts of the projects on the people upon delivery.
He appreciated families that donated lands for community healthcare centers and the CPMC members for standing strong to ensure timely conclusion of works on project sites.
“I appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde for giving unalloyed support to these communities to achieve development, we could not have achieved this without his consent that work should commence, which led to the disbursement of fund to the communities.
“According to the data in our custody as directed by the World Bank and the state government, we have 44,803 beneficiaries of these forty-one micro-projects, a direct reflection of good governance for the people.
“I also commend the cordiality among Community members and the love shown the present administration in Oyo State and my agency, it is unprecedented. It has shown in the spate of the work done here and the quality of materials used.
“History will never forget Governor Seyi Makinde and the families that relinquished their lands for the projects and I pray that the gesture will outlive their lives and their names will be written in gold when the time comes.
“We must harp on the need to design and implement projects according to the planned budget to avoid abandonment of any project and for the project to be completed before the stipulated time, as the Independent Verification Agents (I.V.As) would be visiting soon from Abuja to inspect the completed project.
“You should know that with this, we are investing in our future as well as improving infrastructural development in these communities according to the roadmap to sustainable development Omituntun 2.0 of our amiable Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
“Help us do the work and ensure quality delivery for benefit of the community and to our dear State,” he urged.
The General Manager, OYCSDA, Mr Salau Jelili urged CPMCs’ members to take ownership of the projects as told during the training exercise held recently, asking them to ensure good maintenance and sustainability, for the sake of long term durability.
The Chairman, Lagelu Local Government, Kamorudeen Mudashiru appreciated Governor Makinde and OYCSDA for deeming it fit to include his Community in the project, saying the water, classroom, furniture and toilet built in his domain would impact not only the students but the entire Lagelu Local Government.
A monarch at Lagelu Local Government whose community, Lagun, benefited from the project, Oba Najeemdeen Olamilekan Bello said the present administration under Governor Seyi Makinde has impacted so much on the lives of the people in Oyo State and prayed for continued success for the State administration.
The Chairman, Okan Awuru Community, Sepeteri, Saki East Local Government, Sola Ogungbenjo also appreciated the Governor and OYCSDA for the projects as the community dwellers have hitherto suffered lack of portable water for long, saying that the women and children in the community have been trooping out since they have started fetching from the water points saying the gesture is highly commendable and also prayed for the Governor.
