Adeleke Reviews Projects, Cites LG Fund Crisis as Cause of Delays

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Adeleke Reviews Projects, Cites LG Fund Crisis as Cause of Delays

By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo

Governor Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday met with top government officials to review the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects across Osun State, expressing satisfaction with the pace of work so far.

The meeting, held in Osogbo, focused on key projects including the Ile-Ife flyover and road dualisation, Lameco flyover in Osogbo, Ila-Orangun township roads, Osogbo-Ofatedo-Awo junction, Iwo township roads, and the reconstruction of the Ilahun–Ere Ijesa bridge, among others.

Addressing the officials, the governor described the progress reports as “heartwarming” and in line with the timelines set by his administration.

He noted that asphalt laying had already begun in Ile-Ife, Iwo and Ila-Orangun, while urging contractors to increase the pace of work.
“We must deliver as quickly as possible,” Adeleke said.

The governor, however, blamed delays recorded in some projects on what he described as the diversion of local government funds by court sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen.

He explained that the state government had been responsible for paying local government workers, including teachers, health personnel and pensioners, for over a year.

“If Osun APC lacks conscience by diverting funds meant for local workers to their personal use, I cannot do it.

I cannot abandon local workers who the court sacked APC chairmen intend to punish by criminally hijacking and diverting LG funds in open violation of local government finance laws,” he said.

Adeleke added that the decision to support the local workforce had put pressure on state resources.

“If we had refused to financially sustain the local workforce, local health and education services would have collapsed by now.

The pain would have been too much for our grassroots people.

So we have been using money meant for state projects to sustain the local workforce.

Close to N300 billion of state funds is trapped and hijacked by the Osun APC,” he stated.
He further alleged that the opposition’s intention was to frustrate his administration and stall development across the state.

“The evil plot of the opposition was to strangulate the government so that we will abandon projects in Osogbo, Ila-Orangun, Ilesa, Ede, Ile-Ife, Iwo and other areas. But they have failed in their evil endeavour.

They cannot deny our people the much needed development,” the governor said.

Reassuring residents of his commitment, Adeleke said his administration would continue to prioritise development across communities.

“We are sacrificing and denying ourselves of personal comfort to deliver these projects for the benefit of our people. We will not abandon you,” he added.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Dr B.T. Salami, briefed the governor on the status of the projects, noting that work was progressing according to approved timelines.

He also said the government had put in place mechanisms to receive feedback from the public and address any issues with the quality of work.

“I assure Mr Governor that work is progressing on all the critical projects. Your vision for an interconnected Osun State is gradually becoming a reality,” Salami said.