Infrastructure projects of Gov. Abiodun
The construction of over 400 roads, flyover across the states, 80 per cent completion of Agro International Airport with 4kilometres runway, modern classrooms and over 500 low and medium income housing units by Gov. Dapo Abiodun within three years and eight months of his administration have raised fresh questions about resources management, stomach infrastructure, physical infrastructure and good governance.
In Nigeria, when a leader is using resources of the state to settle political loyalists as followers, he is considered a Messiah of the masses which often ends when funding challenges arise. However, investment of state resources in physical infrastructures like roads, bridges, primary health centres, hospitals, agro airport, classrooms, modern stalls in market centres and others will not only generate income for contractors and workers regardless of their political affiliations. Secondly, investment in physical infrastructures will promote inflow of huge investment, reduce insecurity, reduce cost of transportation, reduce rural-urban migration and improve the standard of living of residents. For instance, according to the National Bureau of Statistics with huge investment in road infrastructure, Ogun State emerged as the most preferred state for direct investment. Talking about modern infrastructure in the education sector conducive classrooms for learning has enhanced performance of teachers and students during national comptions and examinations such WAEC and NECO. With modern health centres infant mortality has reduced and death of pregnant women have become a thing of the past. The administration of Dapo Abiodun with few promises has become popular with multiple project s commissioning.
Last year, President Muhammadu Buhari visited the state on a fact-finding mission of infrastructure projects listed in Gov. Abiodun’s compedium submitted to Presidency, but Buhari ended the visit withe commissioning of five infrastructure projects of IjebuOde- Epe Road, Ijebu Ode Flyover,Shagamu Link, 300 units of low income housing estate at Kobape and 100 Medium units of Medium Income housing at Abeokuta in Ogun Central. This is beside Arepo Journalists Estate and many other infrastructural projects. When Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), came on courtesy visit with members also on facts finding, Governor Abiodun refused to make Power Point presentation but directed commissioners to take the Editors on facility tour since seen the projects will make them to believe that good governance is the result of efficient management of resources.
Hence, Nigerian NewsDirect seeks to join other Governors in Nigeria to showcase what they have done with Internal Generated Revenue IGR and federal allocation. Demand by voters for Governorship candidates, National Assembly candidates to showcase their physical infrastructure projects will help to eliminate diversion of resources and investment of politicians in thuggery. It will also help to woo more voters to responsible leaders contesting for political positions
Gov. Abiodun should be compensated with more endorsement and votes by Traditional rulers, professional associations, trade unions, students religion bodies and other stakeholders.
