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Post by Honorebu on Dec 6, 2015 0:36:53 GMT
AgbongboAkala this was 2013 tho.
I think a lot of people agree he did well in his first term but so far he has fumbled in his second term
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Post by AgbongboAkala on Dec 6, 2015 0:44:29 GMT
Ogun: From 19th to 21th Century
Governor Ibikunle Amosun has delivered development to Ogun State despite the lamentable frustrations of Nigeria’s pseudo-federalism, writes Soyombo Opeyemi
While the Government of Ogun State is literally forcing water out of the rock to turn the state into the ‘huge construction site’ that it is now, there is a central government that sits over gargantuan resources, yet all the federal roads in Ogun are in tatters.
I do not speak of individuals here because the problem predates the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. I refer to this Unitary Republic of Nigeria disguised as Federal Republic of Nigeria. In a proper federation, majority of roads lead to the federating states but in Nigeria, all roads lead to the centre - Abuja.
Even for you to breathe in the natural air, you have to obtain a licence from Abuja. If you discover gold in your bedroom today, you have to first run to Abuja before you can touch it. A state government tries to ameliorate the hardship of its people on a federal road, the central authorities move in and say, “You can’t touch this, you can’t touch that!”
If there is any menace I want to end in Nigeria today, it is the menace called federal road.
Here in Ogun, the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and his team are not just sacrificing time and energy, they are equally sacrificing substantial part of their monthly salaries in a bid to take the state from the 19th century status to the 21st century. So much time has been lost, so many opportunities have been missed; it’s time to take the bull by the horns and change the face and status of our state. That’s the preoccupation of the governor and his lieutenants.
Professor Dora Akunyili came to Abeokuta recently for the Conference of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and expressed shock at what she saw: “Ogun State has suddenly become a construction site; what a transformation! This is different from the state I saw a couple of years ago.”
But it is only those that have equally visited Ogun East and Ogun West senatorial districts that will really appreciate the meaning of a “huge construction site” that Ogun has now become.
As we toured the entire state with the traditional rulers, market women, youths, community associations, road transport unions, farmers, professional groups like the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), etc, as part of activities to mark the second year of the Amosun administration, one thought kept recurring to mind, “If only we could do something about this monstrous 52 per cent of Revenue Allocation that Federal Government sits on every month. If you divide the 26% being currently allocated to states from the Federation Account by 36, you have just 0.7%. What manner of federalism is this?”
I imagined what ought to be the situation in a true federalism where the centre only concerns itself with core federal matters such as foreign affairs, currency, maritime shipping, defence, and leave the states, which are closer to the people, to become the master of the destiny of their own people. Sure, 25% is just okay for the Federal Government – just one institution. The 36 states could then share 55%.
If Amosun could do this much with just 0.7%, imagine if that amount is doubled? But Ogun does not even collect up to 0.7%. When you consider the disparity in the allocation to states, Ogun will probably end up with 0.3% out of the 26%.
And here lies the graveyard of the warped argument that the states should first justify what they are doing with the current allocation before asking for more. Such an argument makes me weep because it only makes sense in a unitary state not a federation. It is only in a unitary structure that the centre plays “the Big Brother”, not in a federal state. The Federation Account is for the 36 states and the centre.
At any rate, has any central administration ever justified the disproportionate amount being cornered from the Federation Account every month? The accusation can go back and forth. What is important is for the right thing to be done because Nigeria is not a unitary state but a federation. Therefore, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and National Assembly should end the current delay and give the federating states their due.
It may interest the reader, however, that Ogun State is not relying alone on the monthly allocation from the Federation Account. From a paltry sum of N700 million monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) it inherited, the current administration has raised the IGR of Ogun to a record figure of N3billion per month. This is done without putting additional yoke on the people but closing the loop-hopes in the old system, automating the revenue collection process, encouraging residents to pay their taxes (to Ogun) as prescribed by law and removing bottlenecks in the interface of the public with government officials.
The story of the first international standard road, complete with all modern features – the Ibara/Totoro road – has been told. Also told is the first flyover/bridge constructed by any administration in Ogun, which was unveiled on January 24. What has not been underscored is the statement made by Dr. Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, during the inauguration of that bridge. The paramount ruler said, “Today can be likened to the day electricity, pipe borne water and railway first came to Abeokuta. Amosun has changed the city from the status of 19th century to the 21st century.”
That remark, for me, captures the essence of Amosun in Ogun State. He is the moderniser of our time.
Among the construction sites in Ogun is the landmark 107km Ilara-Alagbe-Tombolo-Ijoun-Tata-Egua road, cutting across four local councils in Ogun West senatorial district. That highway will open up the rural areas and increase economic activities in the state.
The IloAwela road in Ado-Odo/ Ota local council is already on the world map because of the excruciating agony it inflicted on millions of Nigerians due to its derelict state for lamentable years.
That road is not just strategic to Ogun but the entire country because of its link to the Republic of Benin. So many billions have been lost due to the appalling state of IloAwela/ Ota road. Amosun is not just constructing that stretch of the road in an international fashion, otherwise known as the Ogun Standard Road, but contemplating a project that will change the landscape of road construction in Nigeria.
The six-lane Ilishan-Ago Iwoyemotorway is a construction site in Ogun East – students of Olabisi Onabanjo University cannot wait for its completion. The six-lane road from Express/RSS Junction to Oba Erinwole Junction in Sagamu is already changing the face of that old city. The pillars/columns have already sprouted at the Sabo portion of the highway announcing the very first flyover/bridge in Sagamu.
Flyovers are already stamping their feet on the metropolis of Ijebu Ode. The people are grateful that Amosun is about to end the carnage at the Ijebu Ode junction of the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.
The Ofada-Ibafo road in Ogun Central and Magboro road are being constructed as part of the urban renewal programme of the Amosun administration. These highways will ameliorate the hardship being faced by the people in the border areas.
I believe a state capital should be a modern city. It is usually the first point of contact to investors and those who transact business with government. The reconstruction to bring the narrow roads in Abeokuta to international standard is, therefore, a step in the right direction.
The Onikolobo-Pansheke-Omida-Akin Olugbade motorway, EnuGarderLafenwa-Ago Oba-Itoku-Sapon-Ijaye-Iyana Mortuary road, the 6-lane Abiola Way highway and Madojutimi-MudaLawal Stadium road are all cooperating with the construction workers to ensure they also become the cynosure of all eyes like their sister highway – the Ibara/Totoro road.
What should you have in place to bring development to a society? Essentially, security, infrastructure, and human capital. Amosun has fought insecurity inherited by his government to a standstill. Or when last did you hear of banks in Ogun closing business because of insecurity? During the inauguration of Wempco Steel Mills Co. Ltd, Ibafo, on April 18, President Jonathan was obviously elated to be in Ogun to declare open a multi-billion naira investment for the fourth time in less than two years. He said, “I congratulate the governor, the Government and people of Ogun State, on another landmark achievement in this great state. I thank you for sustaining a conducive and business friendly environment that promotes economic activities in the state. I look forward to coming again in the very near future.”
Ask the people of Ijebu Ode or Abeokuta when last they enjoyed pipe borne water before the advent of the Amosun administration. Today, the dry taps are gradually supplying water even as government is now confronting the daunting challenge of having to relay pipes that had rusted due to years of non-usage in the midst of offsetting inherited debts to institutions like the PHCN in the water subsector.
Colossal investment is also being made in the power sector. The 500 transformers purchased in one fell swoop by this government is the first of such quantum purchase that I have ever heard of in this country. These transformers are now energising the hitherto comatose businesses across the state. As businesses of people are energised, their purchasing power increases, adding to the ready-made markets for current and potential investors in the state. The government has equally marketed the state on non-renewable energy while industries can take advantage of the state being the hub of gas supply and host of Independent Power Projects being reinvigorated by the Jonathan administration.
The Bus Mass Transit Scheme (BMT) has been launched, which for the first time introduced luxury buses on the highways of Ogun. Contract for the first light rail mass transit has been signed. I should, perhaps, not bore readers with what they already know about the investment of Amosun in functional free education, revival of technical education and the state-of-the-art model schools being constructed.
All these, among others, are done in an atmosphere of freedom and the rule of law. Nothing exemplifies the liberty being enjoyed in Ogun than the manner Ogun State Television (OGTV) conducted the two-hour interview of the governor on its live programme on May 28.You would think Amosun was on CNN, BBC or Aljazeera by the kind of blunt questions asked by the panellists, yet that station is owned by the state government. I was so impressed that I had to ask the General Manager of OGTV, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, about the background of the interviewers because there was no question any opposition political party could have asked that was not asked that night. Two of them were social critics and Yoruba experts; one was a retired broadcaster and the fourth, a staff of the station.
That is the kind of atmosphere Amosun has provided in Ogun. The era of people living in fear is gone for good. At any rate, it is only a government that has nothing to show that resorts to tactics of intimidation and violence in order to hide its non-performance. Amosun’s work speaks for him and so the governor is not afraid of any questions from any quarters.
I must end this piece by commending Amosun for his vision. Sincerely, the governor has more than one thousand reasons not to perform considering the appalling state he met Ogun in May 2011. Nobody could have believed that any government,no matter its amount of vision or public spiritedness, would achieve this much within just two years in office. This is vision, competence (prudence in public finance management) and public spiritedness propelled by one thing – Courage.
– Soyombo, Special Assistant on Media to Ogun State Governor, writes via
www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ogun-from-19th-to-21th-century/151896/
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Post by AgbongboAkala on Dec 6, 2015 0:48:31 GMT
AgbongboAkala this was 2013 tho.
I think a lot of people agree he did well in his first term but so far he has fumbled in his second term Haba Aare Eyin ayeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! He's just 6 months into the second term now.  And the good news is that he has continued with most of those construction works he started in the first term.  |
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Post by Honorebu on Dec 6, 2015 0:51:31 GMT
AgbongboAkala this was 2013 tho.
I think a lot of people agree he did well in his first term but so far he has fumbled in his second term Haba Aare Eyin ayeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! He's just 6 months into the second term now. And the good news is that he has continued with most of those construction works he started in the first term.
I really want to see them
There is little or no information online |
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Post by Her Highness on Dec 6, 2015 3:29:19 GMT
After 50 years of forced union, we're just recently celebrating a flyover?
Why can't we be like Japan?
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Post by IrekeOnibudo on Dec 6, 2015 4:18:38 GMT
Plainfields Estate, Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta
Plainfields Estate is yet another leap by the administration of the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun FCA CON in fulfilling the mission to rebuild Ogun State, particularly with regards to the housing and urban development cardinal program. The beautiful mid-scaled gated residential community is nestled within a serene neighbourhood off the Presidential Boulevard, and close to the seat of power, in Abeokuta, Ogun State’s capital city. Sited on 3.5 hectares of land, the estate will be home to 76 families, living in 2 and 3 bedroom semi-detached bungalows, 3 bedroom fully detached bungalows and 4 bedroom duplexes. Six families will live in a block of 6 units of 2 and 3 bedroom flats. There is also a resident’s centre, aptly named “the Oval” because of the shape of the parcel of land on which it sits.  Source
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Post by IrekeOnibudo on Dec 6, 2015 4:28:01 GMT
To be continued...
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Post by AgbongboAkala on Dec 6, 2015 6:18:16 GMT
After 50 years of forced union, we're just recently celebrating a flyover? Why can't we be like Japan? "Diedie ni a n yo ese l'eku." You can't rule out that the military incursion into our politics has really slowed things down. What I'm certain of is that an average Nigerian voter is now politically conscious. A ti gbon. Nobody can deceive us again. Secondly, on the flyover issue, I think the previous governments didn't see the need for it. Then, Abeokuta was too quiet more residential than industrial. The real activities were happening in government circles not until Fashola issue of taxing made some people to take a second look at Abeokuta. That was when a place like Lalubu Street in Okelewo Abeokuta becomes the Central Business District. I'll tell you, the last time I passed through that place, I couldn't believe my eyes. Gbenga Daniel also played a role in the transformation of that area. So, my sister, given where we are coming from, I don't think it's out of the place if we celebrate that flyover. But don't worry, it's no longer one again, we have them in numbers right now. Places like Ago Oba through Odo Oyo to Kemta Oloko, then from Kemta Oloko to Sapon. Then another one at Iyana Mortuary junction. You need to see it. You'll definitely like it and wish one for Ado Ekiti too. |
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Post by Her Highness on Dec 6, 2015 6:55:58 GMT
After 50 years of forced union, we're just recently celebrating a flyover? Why can't we be like Japan? "Diedie ni a n yo ese l'eku." You can't rule out that the military incursion into our politics has really slowed things down. What I'm certain of is that an average Nigerian voter is now politically conscious. A ti gbon. Nobody can deceive us again. Secondly, on the flyover issue, I think the previous governments didn't see the need for it. Then, Abeokuta was too quiet more residential than industrial. The real activities were happening in government circles not until Fashola issue of taxing made some people to take a second look at Abeokuta. That was when a place like Lalubu Street in Okelewo Abeokuta becomes the Central Business District. I'll tell you, the last time I passed through that place, I couldn't believe my eyes. Gbenga Daniel also played a role in the transformation of that area. So, my sister, given where we are coming from, I don't think it's out of the place if we celebrate that flyover. But don't worry, it's no longer one again, we have them in numbers right now. Places like Ago Oba through Odo Oyo to Kemta Oloko, then from Kemta Oloko to Sapon. Then another one at Iyana Mortuary junction. You need to see it. You'll definitely like it and wish one for Ado Ekiti too. lol you're giving me hope, brother. Next time, take pixs make I see am with my own eyes  Anyway sha, anytime I see the name "gbenga daniels" I think of boko haram toilet. |
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Post by Her Highness on Dec 7, 2015 2:01:48 GMT
Honorebu hoew come I can't customize the pix size again?
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Post by Honorebu on Dec 7, 2015 2:06:05 GMT
Honorebu hoew come I can't customize the pix size again? |
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Post by Her Highness on Dec 7, 2015 2:09:33 GMT
Honorebu hoew come I can't customize the pix size again? Initially, I had the ability to do it. I did it on the ekiti thread. |
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Post by IrekeOnibudo on Dec 7, 2015 12:41:08 GMT
Honorebu hoew come I can't customize the pix size again? It is for this very reason that I will have to upload pics to skyscrapercity first. |
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Post by Her Highness on Dec 7, 2015 14:31:13 GMT
Honorebu hoew come I can't customize the pix size again? It is for this very reason that I will have to upload pics to skyscrapercity first. No wahala  |
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Post by Her Highness on Dec 7, 2015 15:14:37 GMT
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And the good news is that he has continued with most of those construction works he started in the first term. 
