The Socialist Party of Nigeria, SPN, has condemned the decision of the Seyi Makinde led PDP administration in Oyo state to use contract system as the modality for the execution of the repair of roads in the state.
The Oyo state chapter of the party announced its disapproval of the approach in a press statement made available to OYOINSIGHT.COM signed by its secretary in the state, Comrade Ayodeji Adigun on Friday.
In the statement, the party described the contract system as a method of political patronage for cronies and one of the major means through which public resources are pilfered and looted in the guise of infrastructural development.
“We, therefore, stand by our demand that the dubious system should end and be replaced with a public works program under which the ministry of Works will be equipped with adequate equipment, machinery, expertise, and manpower.
“With public work system under the democratic control and management of the committee of elected representatives of the working people, projects like mass building of schools, hospitals, roads, mass housing, water-works, mass electrification, etc. will be executed at a much-reduced cost while still be of the standard quality. Thus, it helps to conserve resources that can also be deployed to other areas of pressing needs of the people.” The statement read.
The party stressed further that it is an ill and faulty decision to adopt the contract system which is prone to corruption, and encourages undue concentration of wealth in the hand of a few rich individuals especially in a situation where most roads in the state are still in deplorable condition and social services like education and healthcare continues to suffer chronic underfunding.
The party added that the recent approval of the roads has further demonstrated the financial capacity of the Oyo State government to reposition the moribund state of education and health sector in the state.
OYOINSIGHT.COM had earlier reported how the Oyo State Government approved no fewer than eight roads for either reconstruction or rehabilitation in the state.
The eight approved roads are Airport-Ajia-New Ife Express way with spur to Amuloko(21km); Apete-Awotan-Akufo junction road (12.km); Saki-Ogbooro-Igboho(44.7km); Reconstruction of Under G-stadium-LAUTECH Gate Road, Ogbomosho (3.0km); Takie-FGGC Road, Ogbomosho (2.5km); Reconstruction of Isaba-Ogundoyin Road, Eruwa (2.5km); Rehabilitation of Gadu-Oroki-Sabo-Asipa Road, Oyo (5.20km); Akingbile-Lagbeja-Ajibode road (3.0km).
