The Ogun State Government has revealed plans to construct 100 roads in 100 rural communities in the state.
The government said before the end of
the year, work would commence on construction of infrastructure in
border communities such as Arepo, Ibafo, among others.
The Commissioner for Information and
Strategy, Adedayo Adeneye, spoke on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to
PUNCH Place, Magboro, Ogun State.
Adeneye was accompanied by some special advisers and information officers of the state government.
He said, “The state government plans operation 100/100. We are doing 100 rural roads, hopefully in 100 days.
“We also take cognisance of the cries of
residents in our border towns. But the decline in oil prices has
reduced government revenue. We are constrained by paucity of funds. But
we want them to rest assured that they are next on our agenda. As soon
as the rain subsides and we get the funds we are expecting, we will move
contractors to site and the people will start seeing the effect of the
operation 100/100.
“I, however, wish to state that most
houses in the border towns don’t have government approvals and it is
only when they call on us (for infrastructure) that we know that they
are there. It important that whenever you want to build, that you get
government approvals so that there can be proper planning.”
He said the state government was seeking
ways to increase its Internal Generated Revenue and create an enabling
environment for businesses to thrive.
On the issue of transportation, the
commissioner said the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, had already
signed a N1.2bn Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese company for
the construction of a rail system.
He added that plan was underway for the
construction of an airport to enhance investments and support the “more
than 400 industries” in the state.
Adeneye thanked The PUNCH for its
support for the Ogun State Government and its sustenance of core
journalism values of fairness and balance.
In his response, the Chairman, Editorial
Board, Segun Adediran, thanked Adeneye and his team for the visit,
saying The PUNCH would continue to fulfil its constitutional duty of
making government accountable to the people.
“We are no cheerleaders of anybody. We
also don’t pander to any business or political interest. As an
organisation, we are neutral and our values are well known. We stand for
democracy, fundamental human rights of Nigerians and true federalism.
With the strides that the Ogun and Lagos states governments have made,
it is evident that if Nigeria had met the basic minimum standards of
true federalism, our story as a country would have been different,” he
said.
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