Adeleke knocks APC for criticising N159bn infrastructure projects
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Thursday accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of failing to deliver on the N100bn infrastructural projects he launched in the last quarter of 2023.
The opposition party subsequently declared that the second phase of the infrastructural plan, under which the governor proposed to spend N159bn on various projects, was “unworkable.”
Responding to the APC’s accusations, Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, defended the government’s efforts.
Rasheed argued that the governor needed to commit substantial resources to upgrading infrastructure due to the failure of the previous APC-led administration to address the state’s infrastructure deficit.
Rasheed further pointed out that the first phase of the infrastructure plan was already 70 to 80 percent completed across various sectors, and he expressed confidence that the second phase, with an allocated N159bn, would also be successfully carried out.
Earlier, the Director of Media for Osun APC, Mr. Kola Olabisi, issued a statement in Osogbo recalling that in October 2023, Governor Adeleke announced plans to build N100bn worth of infrastructure without borrowing.
However, Olabisi argued that major projects such as the flyovers in Okefia, Lameco, and Ile-Ife were facing significant challenges, missing their completion deadlines and at risk of being abandoned.
The APC also claimed that there had been no work done at Ikirun and Owode, where the projects were initially promised.
“Instead of making new promises, it would be more reasonable for the government to focus on delivering the projects it has already promised. Osun State deserves better,” Olabisi stated. “It’s time for the government to prioritise education, healthcare, agricultural development, and rural road infrastructure. The state should learn from more advanced capitals like Ilorin and Ibadan, which have well-developed road networks and traffic management systems. The government’s failure to complete previous projects casts doubt on its ability to fulfill new promises.”
The APC also questioned the delay in replacing individuals employed by Adeleke’s predecessor, Adegboyega Oyetola, just before leaving office.
They accused the governor of hiring Amotekun Corps operatives who were allegedly political thugs aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party, at the expense of the state’s security.
In response, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson dismissed the APC’s accusations, describing the opposition party as “haters” in denial of the governor’s achievements.
“It is only haters of the people that will deny the significant infrastructure development happening across the state,” Rasheed stated. “In the state capital alone, work on the Oke Fia and Lameco flyovers has been ongoing, and the phase of work is accelerating. The flyover at Ile-Ife is also progressing, with visual evidence readily available. The Ilesa dualisation project is advancing with contractors working day and night to deliver. The Oke Gada bridge is nearly 90 percent completed, while the dualisation of Old Garage-Oke Fia-Lameco road has been finished. Additionally, the Ilesa Garage to Stadium roundabout has been completed and commissioned.”
Rasheed also emphasised the completion of over 200 health centres, the rehabilitation of more than 100 schools, and the completion of about 150 kilometers of local and urban center roads.
These, he said, demonstrate that the first phase of the infrastructure plan is being successfully implemented.
He added that the Abere flyover project was put on hold due to community preferences for a different road project, as was the case with the Ikirun Junction flyover, where the community chose to extend the road dualisation instead.
Describing Governor Adeleke as a “pro-people leader,” Rasheed pointed out that the current administration had delivered more in two years than the previous APC government did in four years.
He also highlighted that experts had noted that Governor Adeleke had reduced the state’s infrastructure deficit by more than 45 percent, addressing the legacy challenges left by the APC administration.
“Governor Adeleke is committed to further bridging the infrastructure deficit to attract investments and boost business operations in the state. The second phase of N159 billion, which includes projects in infrastructure, education, and health, is part of his ongoing effort to ensure sustainable development. As with the first phase, Governor Adeleke is dedicated to completing all the new projects. He has a proven track record of being a ‘talk-and-do’ leader,” Rasheed concluded.
