Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has faulted those accusing
his administration of lacking human face in its urban renewal programme, saying
no government in the state has demonstrated concern for the welfare of the
people as the present administration.
The governor stated this through his Special Adviser on
Public Affairs, Mr. Toye Arulogun while featuring on an Ibadan radio programme
``Bull’s Eye’’ on Monday.
Governor Ajimobi also dismissed insinuations that his
government had been displacing traders through the destruction of markets,
particularly in Ibadan, the state capital.
``I think it is unfair for anybody to accuse Governor Ajimobi
of lacking human face in the execution of his urban renewal programme. Indeed,
I make bold to say that no government has demonstrated concern for the welfare
of its citizens as the present administration,’’ he said.
He particularly cited the introduction of free transport
services for workers to and fro work, the Ajumose shuttle buses carrying
passengers to long distances with a paltry sum of N50 and students for free and
the introduction of free ambulance services throughout the nooks and crannies
of the state, as several indicators of the government having human face.
The Special Adviser also mentioned the regular workers’
training through which several thousands of civil servants had undergone one
training or the other as well as the payment of 100 per cent 13th
month salary for civil servants for the second year running.
He also noted that although traders who used to ply their
trades on the streets had been removed as part of government’s efforts to
improve the aesthetics of Ibadan city and ensure a cleaner environment,
Arulogun added that aside the Scout Camp Market at Challenge in Ibadan built to
cater for some of the traders, other markets were also being constructed to
accommodate those remaining.
Besides, the Special Adviser said that arrangements had also
been concluded to grant the traders interest-free loans to help improve their
businesses.
While stating that all these developmental strides, among
other massive infrastructural revolution currently going on in the state, had
drawn wide applause from both far and near, he pointed out that only the
opposition who had chosen not to see, were the ones left in their sustained
criticism of the Ajimobi administration.
He enjoined the people of the state to discountenance the
lies being peddled by the opposition on the newly-inaugurated Mokola Flyover,
stating that the barriers put at the feet of the bridge on both sides were not
an indication that it was weak.
Rather, he said that it was aimed at preventing possible
accidents by trucks and other articulated vehicles on the flyover cited on such
a busy axis of the state capital.
Arulogun called for the continued cooperation and support of
the people of the state for Governor Ajimobi in his efforts at building a
modern Oyo State that would be a clear departure from the one bequeathed to him
by past administrations.
