Osun Infrastructure Plan: You are hypocrites — Adeleke’s SA, Durojaye blasts APC
By Jeleel Olawale
The Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Cooperatives and Empowerment, Honourable Durojaye Isaac has bemoaned the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over serial criticisms of the recent plan of multi-billion naira infrastructure by the state government.
Reacting to a statement credited to APC, Durojaye blasted the party for being hypocritical in its stands to issues relating to the state government, saying APC is economical with the truth and crying wolf where there is none.
He said Osun APC knows the truth but failed to face it because what they failed to do while in government for almost twelve years is what the present government is doing through people friendly policies and programmes.
The Governor’s aide noted that the present government will not allow APC to hold hostage policies and genuine plan of government to re-juvinate the state into mecca of development, describing the APC’s statement as tissues of lies.
He said the party should deploy its energy on how to rebuild its self-collapsed house instead of embarking on pull-him-down-syndrome, asking the party to offer constructive criticism. He stressed that APC has been totally rejected by the people of the state, saying the prayer in the mouth of every Osun people, “is may we not witness APC government in Osun.”
Durojaye noted that the infrastructure plan unveiled by the state Governor is hinged on the passion for economic growth and development of the state.
He expressed the belief that these projects, when completed, would address infrastructural deficit and turn the state into investment destination.
He described the rumour spread by the opposition that the execution of multi-billion naira projects would end regular payment of salaries as unfounded and figment of imagination of fifth columnists, adding that Governor Ademola Adeleke prioritises the welfare of workers and retirees in the state, saying the infrastructure plan would not affect regular payment of salaries and allowances of workers and pensioners in the state.
“It is the responsibility of every responsible government to pay salaries of its workforce regularly which this present government is doing. The government of Ademola Adeleke is anchored on workers’ welfare which is the first on the Governor’s electoral agenda.
“The APC government is known for anti-poor-policies and anchored on propaganda to hoodwink the unsuspected people of the state.
“The Governor is not interested in diverting the fund of the state unlike when their governments was in the saddle.
“Before this government took over reign of governance, there was already infrastructure deficit which cut across all sectors of the state economy such as agriculture, education, roads, health among others,” he said.
He opined that APC should be thankful to PDP for clearing its half salaries and pensions imposed on the state which amounted to billions of naira but the present government has been paying regularly salaries and allowances of workers and pensioners as well as cash backing of promotion letters given to the workers when the party was in government.
The Special Adviser noted that the State Government is already negotiating with the state Labour Unions on the new minimum wage. “The PDP government is known for workers’ friendly and not an anti-workers’ party like the state APC,” he said.
He said that Governor Adeleke is already handling palliative issues even outside distribution of food items as there is a close link between the formal and informal workforce in the state. The state government will soon commence the distribution of cash palliatives to Osun people.
Durojaye emphasised that the government plans to build five fly-overs across major cities in the state within 12 months, stressing that it will reduce accidents in the state and help state infrastructure.
Adeleke recently unveiled his administration’s plan to spend a sum of N100 billion on infrastructural amenities across the state in the next 12 months. He listed projects that include five flyovers, 45-kilometer roads across the 30 local government areas, and rehabilitation of health centres and schools, in his one-year infrastructure plan for Osun.
Recall Osun APC Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal had through a statement, described Adeleke’s plan as a “scam skilfully designed to enrich some economic buccaneers close to the government.”
Durojaye therefore urged the state APC to play politics with decorum in the interest of the state.
“They should join hands with the state government to develop the state because Osun is a collective project for all irrespective of party affiliation.”
