Former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to desist from playing what he described as “Petty Politics” with the construction of the 260-metre Paddy Arikawe-Oye Igbimo Road.
Daniel equally appealed to Abiodun to consider the plight of the people of Sagamu over the deplorable condition of the road, which has continued to affect their daily activities and livelihoods rather than engaging him in frivolous politics to the detriment of the welfare of his constituents.
It was recalled that Daniel and the Abiodun-led administration had been at loggerheads over a fresh crisis involving the 260-metre Paddy Arikawe-Oye Igbimo Road, with the latter demanding the contractor handling the project, Minim and Tonye Nigeria Limited, to stop work until a standard specifications design of the road is submitted.
The contractor, however, succumbed to the government’s requirements on the road project design.
But the ex-governor, while speaking at Erunwon community during his Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour of the BATOGD Movement, Ijebu North LGA, at the weekend, urged Abiodun to shun petty politics that could short-change the people of Ogun East from developing the region with projects, particularly on road construction.
He also reeled out roads in Ogun East Senatorial District that needed to be repaired, including Atan (Odo-Eran) – Odosimadegun – Etiobu – Ododeyo – Imewuro – Ilumerin – Atan (Circular Rd to LG staff Quarters) measuring 15km, Ogidi junction – Odoregbe – Odosenlu – Itamarun – Igede – Idotun – Imomo road spanning 7km, and Odosenbora – Ibido – Okeaye – Idorunwon – Gbawojo – Omu measuring 8km.
The serving senator, who reaffirmed his commitment and support for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid, expressed concerns that the people of Ogun East might be deprived of necessary development should the governor continue to play politics with people-oriented projects such as the Paddy Arikawe-Oye Igbimo Road.
He said, “My dear people, permit me at this point to make a passionate appeal. As a matter of urgency, we call on the State Government to come to the aid of Ijebu North East and pity the plight of our people.”
“The condition of our road infrastructure is dire, and rehabilitation can no longer be delayed. We therefore implore the government to immediately commence the rehabilitation of eleven key road networks that are central to the economic and social wellbeing of this local government.
“These roads are lifelines for our farmers, traders, students, and the entire business community. Their rehabilitation will not only ease movement but also boost commerce and restore hope to our people. We sincerely beg the State Government to act now and allow the Federal Government to complement its efforts for the benefit of all,” he noted.
Daniel said that he expected cooperation, not hostility, from the current administration on the project, which, according to him, was a federal government project in Abiodun’s senatorial district, but was surprised that he had to play nitpicky politics over the project initiated by him, urging the governor to have mercy on the plight of the people by not going against people-oriented projects in his constituency.
He said, “A fundamental part of my role as your Senator is lawmaking and, crucially, facilitating the location of federal projects to our constituency. However, I must clarify a critical point: my job essentially ends with the facilitation.”
“The process of awarding contracts and executing these projects is the responsibility of various federal agencies, often in cooperation with state agencies. What we expect, and indeed require, from the State Government is cooperation, not hostility. Petty politics must never be allowed to short-change our people.”
“Let me give you a clear example. The Paddy Arikawe Road in Sagamu, which is currently a subject of controversy, was first opened up and tarred with drainages by our Ogun State Road Management Agency (OGROMA) in 2004, over twenty years ago. Sadly, since then, no significant repairs or maintenance had been carried out until we managed to include it as a palliative measure in our limited constituency projects.
The primary responsibility for that road lies with the local and state government. The plank of my message to our state government is simple: we need encouragement, not discouragement, to bring more development home,” he said.
The governor stated that he had submitted a proposal to create four satellite campuses for the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), noting that the campuses would be situated within a 30km radius of the main campus in Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode.
He emphasized that the initiative is crucial to address the main campus’s land constraints, noting that 151 hectares is significantly smaller than the typical 10,000 hectares required for a new federal university. This strategic expansion aims to alleviate the challenges posed by the limited land availability at the Ijagun campus.
The former governor also called on the state government that, rather than engaging him in petty politics over road projects, it should channel its energy to governance and development of the state, saying that such is the best way to truly serve the people and meet their yearnings and aspirations for their dreamed Ogun State.
He said, “Now, for the good news specific to our local government. You will recall the recent, visionary decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the Federal Government to take over the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED). This is a monumental achievement. However, we have identified a challenge: the main campus at Ijagun has a landmass of about 151 hectares, which is significantly smaller than the 10,000 hectares typically required for a new federal university. This limitation presents a unique opportunity for us.”
“We have therefore submitted a special proposal for the creation of four satellite campuses within a 30km radius of the main campus. This initiative is strategically important, and incidentally, it holds a special significance. Unbeknownst to many, the family roots of our esteemed First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Mrs. Remi Tinubu, are firmly planted here in Ijebu North East. Establishing these campuses is the least we can do in her honour,” he opined.
