Speeches

Just yesterday, whilst handing over the Agbowo Shopping Complex to its concessionaires, I said the state government has no business running businesses. Businesses should be left in the hands of private organisations who know how to run them and make a profit. The role of the government is to create the enabling environment so that more of these private entities will be attracted to the state. And this is what we are doing in Oyo State. And as you can see, we are getting results.

Previous administrations have tried and failed to renovate this complex. For example, the last administration said they signed an MOU with a development company. They were to embark on the “remodelling, redeveloping and rehabilitation of Agbowo Shopping Complex” for N8billion to be completed in 30 months. However, the project never saw the light of day. But something they could not do in eight years; we are doing in under two years. Also, by the Grace of God, we will have this complex completed within our tenure.

We are working with Remax Realtors Limited. To make this project a reality, the Oyo State Government through the Oyo State Housing Corporation is providing thirteen (13) hectares of land for the scheme, while the developer will solely finance the entire project.

I have always said that I am in this position today because it is the will of the people and of God. And so, I am determined to continue to pursue and expand policies that will show that I respect the yearnings of the people. One of the ways our administration has done this is by ensuring that our communities are involved in the budgeting process.

Street lights mean that economic activities can be carried out for longer periods. Who says we cannot have 24-hour restaurants, petrol stations and other businesses in Oyo State as happens in other cities worldwide? These developments start with basic infrastructure such as street lights.

I am always excited when I get invitations to speak at events that have to do with education. If I were told to choose just one of the four pillars on which to build the economic recovery of Oyo State, I will most certainly choose education as the foremost. Educated people cannot be held down. They will continue to push for development and embrace developmental efforts because they know better.

Elections are all about choices.

And the people of Ondo State must come out on October 10 to make the right choice.

A choice between stagnation and progress.

A choice between sustained poverty and economic recovery.

A choice between exploitation and development.

A choice between continued hardship and prosperity.

The reconstruction will cost N770 Million and the stores will be allocated to the original owners. The first phase of reconstruction will take six months and the second phase will take two months.

If we are telling people to leave wherever they are and come here, we should be able to give them what they are benefiting there and even more. We can keep saying Oyo State is ready for business, but without the right infrastructure in place, they will tell us they like our policies, but they want to see better facilities.