There is a popular Yoruba adage which says, “one’s rival/enemy does nothing great in one’s view (Ota Eni Ki pa Odu Oya). That has been the attitude of the opposition since inception of the GSM administration.
One could easily deduce from a statement by the governorship candidate of the opposition party during 2019 election which he gave based on the #100bn loan even with his experience as an economist and a former deputy governor of the apex bank In the country to form a more misleading information to the citizens on the pay back of the loan.
One thing should be made clear to the naysayers, the current administration would not for any reason embark on any un meaningful program but rather on citizens oriented and beneficial ones.
Part of what the bond is meant to cater for includes; 21km Ajia Airport Road, Ibadan Dry Port, Iseyin/Ogbomosho Road, the upgrade of Ibadan Airport.
Every reasonable Oyo State citizens would understand that all these projects are imperative to the economic development of the pacesetter state.
The project are mostly a public private partnership (PPP) project which involves other private enterprise.
All projects which are been executed with the said bond has direct impact on the economy of the State, for instance the upgrading of the Ibadan Airport would play an eminent role in the economic development of the state, as well of the region as a whole. The upgrading will facilitate the fast movement of man and materials, thereby fostering trade and commerce, it would also support employment generation. All this is without doubt a great benefits to the people who do business in the state as it would ease the rate people move into the state.
At the same time that of Iseyin/Ogbomosho would help those with Agricultural products out of the state since they are mainly the Agricultural hub of the state and the south west and Nigeria at large.
The Ibadan Dry Port which has been on for quite a very long time if completed would not only help the state but also serve as a means of connecting the commercial hub of the state i.e the modal shift from road to rail; resulting in a reduced congestion at the sea port gate and also to improve inland access , as well as in lowering environment effect. It will ease the congestion at Lagos sea port which would in turn be a source of great revenue and economic development and value to Oyo state.
To the naysayers the current administration of GSM would continue to soar high and bring more glorious development to the state and we shall achieve more with the cooperation of all and sundry.