Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has cleared the air on the stoppage of the Ibadan circular road project awarded by his predecessor, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that Makinde had on Thursday ordered that the work be stopped with immediate effect.
Since then, several criticisms have trailed the stoppage of the work with the major opposition in the state describing the Governor’s action as hypocritical.
But Makinde while justifying his action, maintained that he stopped the work because he does not want the people of the State to be shortchanged.
Makinde while speaking at the premises of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Ibadan, on Friday during the commissioning of the Satellite Audio Network of the corporation’s FM Station, Oluyole FM, insisted that his administration is determined to do things properly, though it may take slightly longer.
Makinde said, “I am sure you must have heard that yesterday, we went to the site of the Ibadan Circular Road and issued a stop work order. This is because we don’t want the people of Oyo State to be shortchanged in anyway.
“With this commissioning, we can hear your feedbacks clearer even when you contribute to programmes on air. You can speak more and we will listen more. We will listen to everyone and respond with actions. We will respond by getting better.
“As I drove down for this commissioning, I could not help but think about the importance of communication to the development of any community. I believe if we can’t understand ourselves mutually, we can give different interpretations to what is happening around us. Of course, communication guarantees more feedbacks. The more feedbacks the leadership gets, the better the quality of the decision that will be made.
“I have often taken every opportunity to remind the people of Oyo State that we are an administration that listens. We are not in the business of curbing free speech. When you complain to us about something, we look at it and act. You spoke and we listened. The commissioning of this Digital Satellite Network of the Oluyole FM Station is because people spoke and we have listened.
“While on the campaign train, I promised the people of Oyo State that this administration will take the BCOS to a height we will all be proud of and we have started delivering on that promise. With the installation of this Digital Satellite Network, no more Analogue. In Oyo State, we have gone digital. We can now get clean and clear audio signal to the nooks and crannies of Oyo State and get government closer to the people.
“For those asking what we have done so far. Many are even asking about the security patrol vehicles that we promised. I can tell you that they will be on the road in the next two weeks. The vehicles have to be insured, branded with the new emergency number 615 and communication gadgets have to be installed in the vehicles.
“Our administration is determined to do things properly, though it may take slightly longer. They still ask us what we have been doing but, today, we have another answer; what they were not able to do in eight years has been done within six months, even following due process.
“It is on record that both BCOS radio and TV did not enjoy any capital project intervention in nearly a decade. But in August, we released a little above N18 million for this project and, today, we are commissioning it in three months of our administration.
“Also, for the first time in about 12 years, BCOS will not have to engage the primitive use of Mobile phones to monitor and transmit from its out-stations in Ajilete and Alaga. It can now send signals directly from the headquarters here in Ibadan. Despite the various commitments of government, we shall find the most effective way to ensure that BCOS TV channel gets due attention. We will get those signals to go beyond Ibadan. We are already on STARTIMES, GOTV. With time, we will get to DSTV.
“It is the desire of this administration that everyone feels the impact of government. The management should keep informing and entertaining the people. We will keep listening. Together, we can and will build a greater Oyo State.”
Executive Chairman of BCOS, Prince Dotun Oyelade while speaking, said the station had been operating within the spirit of the current administration, knowing well that probity and accountability were the hallmarks of the government.
