Contrary to insinuations that the Park Management System (PMS) introduced by the Seyi Makinde-led government is of no value, his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, has revealed that the initiative is contributing in no small means to the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of Oyo State.
Speaking today on BOTTOMLINE, a political programme on IBR 92.5fm Ibadan, monitored by OYOINSIGHT.COM, the CPS noted that unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic distrupted many things including the economy, hence, the feeling that the arrangement is of no effect.
He cautioned critics of Makinde administration to be objective in their analysis stressing that it is important to put the time the PMS started in perspective.
“It is not everything you politicize. We must bear in my mind that the Coronavirua pandemic started not to long after the PMS was introduced”
On the report of an investigation carried out by an online newspaper alleging extortion and double taxation by the PMS Operators, Adisa dismissed the claim of the reporter saying it was a lazy job.
“We have contacted the editor. It is nothing but a lazy job. I am a reporter myself. In journalism, you verify your facts. For instance, how come the report of an investigation carried out in March is being published in July? That is about three months after. The reporter claimed to have spoken with me in his report and I directed him to the commissioner for works who is in charge of the PMS. He did not get back to me to inform me he was not able to speak with the commissioner”.
Justifying the resolve of the Makinde administration in boosting the state’s IGR, Adisa said between May 2019 when his principal took over the reigns of governance and February 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic struck thereby collapsing the global economy, Oyo State IGR had improved from 1.6 billion naira to about 2.7 billion naira.
Speaking on the N100 billion bond that the government wants to access to fix some infrastructure and which has become a subject of controversy, Adisa reiterated that what the Makinde administration is doing in fixing the Oyo State economy is diffferent from what the immediate past administration did.
He reiterated the fact that the total lenght of road constructed by the Ajimobi government is not more than 40 kilometres.
When asked if the Makinde administration is still interested in probing the past administration, he answered in the affirmative.
He revealed that the committee set up by Makinde to investigate the contracts awarded by the late Ajimobi administration has submitted its report and that some revelations have been made. At the appropriate time, he said, some individuals will be called to answer some questions.
