Women may dominate my exco, says Abiodun

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has declared that women will constitute close to 50 percent of his executive council appointments.

He also promised to prioritise road construction and rehabilitation as well as education for the Ogun West Senatorial District, as the 2020 budget is being prepared.

Roads in the senatorial district were described as the worst in the state, when the state government held a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders of the zone at Ilaro on Wednesday.

“I want to assure you that my cabinet will have, if not 50 percent of women, it will have at least 40 per cent. You voted for me to give you good governance and we will ensure that it cut across the nooks and crannies of the state. We will ensure we give over 100,000 women loan without interest,” he said.

The governor promised that the era of non-implementation of budget estimate was over, saying that he would ensure proper implementation of the 2020 budget, when passed into law.

Abiodun also said that the Ogun State Government was taking full advantage of its strategic geographical location and as the industrial hub of the nation, to improve its socio-economic development and create wealth for the people.

He described Ogun West as the engine room of the state, noting: “We are taking maximum advantage of our geographical location as the largest economy in Africa and a window into the West African corridor.

“It is self-evident truth that without the Ogun West Senatorial District, we cannot be Gateway State. I, therefore, consider this district a priority, not only because you are the engine room of the state, but the people are our priceless jewels.”

The governor noted that the people of the zone had been in the forefront of the socio-economic development of the state with its status as the industrial hub, increase in the number of industrial establishment and level of commercial activities.

He said hosting the meeting would strengthen the partnership between the government and the people as a way of having good input into the budget.

Abiodun said: “We have come to learn how to ensure strategic allocation of our commonwealth to cover projects and programmes that would have most meaningful impact on the people.

“We will take copious note of all your comments, recommendations, proposals and these will be taken as an important factor in the preparation process of the State Budget.”

The general consensus of the people of the District at the town hall meeting was that the area had been neglected.

The meeting had in attendance traditional rulers, elders and tradesmen, artisans and party stalwarts.

Stakeholders had demanded that road rehabilitation be made the topmost priority for them.

The leaders took turns to lament the deplorable state of intra-city roads as well as those leading to villages, farmlands and industrial hubs in the five local government areas of the zone.

The leaders also called for resuscitation of moribund health facilities and human capital development.

The stakeholders said provision of the needed infrastructures would go a long way in further improving business and commercial activities in the senatorial district.