Don’t Deprive Our People Infrastructural Devt With Petty Politics, Hostility – OGD
ABEOKUTA – The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial district, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has advised governor Dapo Abiodun not to allow petty politics deprive the people of the state dividends of democracy.
Senator Daniel spoke on Saturday at the continuation of his midterm community assessment and review tour of the BATOGD Movement in Eruwon, Ijebu North East local government of Ogun State.
According to the former governor, his fundamental role as Senator is lawmaking and facilitation of federal projects to his constituency, stressing that awarding of contracts and projects execution was the responsibility of various federal agencies.
He posited that what was expected of the state government is cooperation, not hostility towards the establishment of such projects.
Speaking on the controversy surrounding the Paddy/Arikawe Road in Sagamu, Daniel explained that the primary responsibility for that road lies with the local and state government, insisting that he only managed to include it as a palliative measure in his limited constituency projects when the state government failed to provide palliative on the road since 2004 his administration first constructed the road.
He, therefore, called on state government not to disencourage the federal legislators from bringing more development to the communities by encouraging them with the needed support.
Daniel equally appealed to the state government to rescue the people of Ijebu North East on the deplorable roads in the local government.
The ex-governor specifically appealed for the rehabilitation of Atan-Odosimadegun-Etiobu-Ododeyo-Imewuro-Ilumerin, Ogidi junction-Odoregbe-Odosenlu-Itamrun-Igede-Idotun-Imowo, Odosenbora-Ibido-Okeaye-Idorunwon-Gbawojo-Omu, Ogbogbo-Iworo-Ibadanijebu-Ipari amongst others.
He stressed that the roads are lifelines of the farmers, traders, students, and the entire business community.
“Let me begin by reassuring you that our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering. The BATOGD Movement is a testament to this commitment. We are confident in the President’s bold and thoughtful leadership, which is steadily redirecting our nation’s economy and restoring its pride.
“The tough but necessary decisions, such as the removal of the fuel subsidy, are beginning to yield positive results, with more funds now available to states and local governments for development. Our duty is to ensure these benefits are felt right here in our communities.
“A fundamental part of my role as your Senator is lawmaking and, crucially, facilitating the location of federal projects to our constituency. However, I must clarify a critical point: my job essentially ends with the facilitation. The process of awarding contracts and executing these projects is the responsibility of various federal agencies, often in cooperation with state agencies. What we expect, and indeed require, from the State Government is cooperation, not hostility. Petty politics must never be allowed to short-change our people.
“Let me give you a clear example. The Paddy Arikawe Road in Sagamu, which is currently a subject of controversy, was first opened up and tarred with drainages by our Ogun State Road Management Agency (OGROMA) in 2004, over twenty years ago. Sadly, since then, no significant repairs or maintenance had been carried out until we managed to include it as a palliative measure in our limited constituency projects.
“The primary responsibility for that road lies with the local and state government. The plank of my message to our state government is simple: we need encouragement, not discouragement, to bring more development home.”
