Speaking yesterday morning from Television and Radio stations on critical issues in Ibadan and series of live tweets from his Twitter handle @AAAjimobi and other reputable Ibadan based social media personalities. #AjumoseAt6
Yesterday 29th May 2017, Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, held a media press briefing during which he addressed several issues that citizens are agitating about in the state. Here are the major ones that you should be aware of.
Olubadan
The governor is currently having an impasse with the Olubadan-In-Council because of concerns that he may be attempting to meddle into the chieftaincy protocol in the state. But the governor said what is happening is an inquiry and not taking any action for now.
“We’re just taking a look for now. For things to improve we must change. Tradition changes with time,” he said.
An interesting opening statement he made had to do with successes and failures so far, Governor Ajimobi said:
On governance, the governor said Nigeria needs financial restructuring and governance decentralization. According to him, FG should encourage fiscal federalism.
“Let states make money and FG should tax them,” the governor said. He added that Oyo state should be allowed to have its on police force.
Debt and IGR
He also used the interactive session to address conflicting figures on internally generated revenues and the current state of debt owed by the government. Describing himself as one of the most prudent governors in the state, the governor announced that the state government now generates about N2.5 billion monthly and is owing N4.8 billion.
Salaries
He also announced that his administration has paid salaries up to February.
“We are only owing 2 months. This morning I signed the salary of March. Every money I get from federal government as allocation I pay to workers,” the governor said.
Environment
The governor also rated his government high on environment. Remember the decision to hand over waste management authority to a private firm? The governor added that his government is aggressively pursuing cleanliness.
“A clean environment is essential for socioeconomic development of Oyo state,” he said. “We’ve moved from being d dirtiest city to middle-of-the-road cleanliness. We want to be d cleanest city in Nigeria.”
Politics and 2019 ambition
One thing one could deduce from the interview was the governor’s renewed interest in going to the senate at the expiration of his tenure in 2019. On the next governor of the state, it appeared that the governor has an idea of what he desires.
“In 2019, Oyo state needs an intellectual, deep, passionate, compassionate, courageous leader,” the governor said.
According to him, over 30 people now want to become governor, some of them shouldn’t even be in the state house of assembly.
“I have about 5 candidates that I’m considering. By May next year, I will know my preferred candidate.””
He also vowed to complete all ongoing projects before he leaves office.
“Any project I start I will complete. I’ve done more road projects than any other government,” he said.
CULLED FROM:ibpulse.com (edited)
