The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, will kickstart the process that will bring about a new-look Agbowo Shopping Complex, Ibadan, this week, the Director-General of Oyo State Investment and Public, Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPPPA), Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi has said.
Ogunwuyi, who stated this while granting an interview to the media, said that his agency has concluded plans to hand over the imposing but moribund Agbowo Shopping Complex, opposite the University of Ibadan main gate to a concessioner, whom he said met the conditions for a positive turn-around of the complex.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted Ogunwuyi as saying that everything was set for the handing over of the Agbowo Shopping Complex.
Ogunwuyi also said that work was progressing on the Ibadan Dry Port, which is a tripartite investment opportunity involving the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (on behalf of the Federal Government) the government of Oyo State and a private investor.
He said that besides the Pacesetter Asphalt Plant and Quarry, Ijaiye, which has already been handed out on concession, his agency is vigorously pursuing the concession of the Agbowo Shopping Complex, which he said will come alive starting from this week.
He said: “The second one is the Agbowo Shopping Complex, we have been on that and I am happy to say that by next week (this week), the governor will be handing over the asset to an investor on a concession basis, these are two critical assets of the state that we have been able to concession since we came on board.
“We have touched on basically all aspects of our mandate; we are primarily in charge of concessioning government assets and we have done four major concessioning. Let me mention two that will be well known to people, we have concessioned the asphalt and quarry plant that we have in Ijaiye, that’s somewhere around Moniya, a private investor is running it profitably and the government of Oyo State gets a percentage of the revenue when sales are made.”
He also clarified that the state government does not commit funds to the projects being revived, adding that his agency only sources for the right investor who can turn the fortunes of the abandoned projects around.
He said: “Because it is a concession, Oyo State did not put one naira into the project (Asphalt Plant), it costs government nothing. What we did was to get investors that can run the business profitably and we negotiated with them based on the quantum of investment they want to put in, how long they will have the concession and the revenue that is accruable to Oyo State from that. Currently, you can buy all manners of stone-based granite and asphalt there. We are also happy to say that the operation no potholes being carried out by the state government currently is done mostly with the asphalt gotten from the plant.
“So it is a win-win situation for government; the government is doing its duty in terms of infrastructure and still getting revenue because for anything that is bought at that asphalt plant, we get a cut of that as a government. So it is a win-win for Oyo state.”
Signed:
Taiwo Adisa
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde
September 20, 2020.
PRESS RELEASE
Edo 2020: Makinde congratulates Obaseki, commends Wike-led campaign council
…Says INEC must build on positives for future elections
Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Sunday congratulated the re-elected governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Phillip Shaibu, describing their re-election as a victory for the people of the state.
Governor Makinde, in a congratulatory message to Obaseki, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo State governorship election, also praised the National Campaign Council of the PDP led by the Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike for a job well done.
He congratulated the duo of Obaseki and Comrade Shaibu, on what he described as a well-deserved victory, noting that it was gratifying to see the will of the people triumph.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Governor Makinde lauded the PDP National Campaign Council led Governor Nyesom Wike, for making the party proud.
He maintained that the PDP ran an issue-based campaign and proved its democratic tendencies all through the process, which started from the ward, local government and state congresses, (which were overseen by Makinde himself), to the party primaries and subsequently the campaign and election.
He added that the victory in Saturday’s election meant that the people, who have the absolute power in a democracy, are monitoring developments and would always support the party with the right democratic ideals.
He said: “Congratulations HE, Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu on a well-deserved victory.
“Well-done to the PDP National Campaign Council for Edo State, led by HE, Governor Wike. This victory is for the people of Edo State.”
According to Makinde, the victory is sweet in a lot of ways, adding that “it has sent signals to those who want to perpetuate godfatherism in our politics. It is also the beginning of the great reclamation by our Party, the PDP.
“I have always known that given a free and fair atmosphere, the people of Edo State will show their preference for the candidate of the PDP. We did our homework and presented the candidate to beat.
“With the usual shenanigans that have been unduly related with such elections in recent times including ballot snatching, violence, ballot stuffing, and daylight rigging, relegated to the background, the conclusion can only point to one direction-victory for the PDP.
“It is my expectation that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will stand firm and take the Edo State template as standard practice that will only be improved upon in subsequent elections in Ondo and other locations.
“INEC and our election managers must always strive to return power to the people by creating a level-playing field in all elections.”
