The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere has counselled the government at all levels to avoid project abandonment and make adequate funds available for the execution of people-oriented projects.
The group also called on the people of Ekiti state to keep supporting Governor Biodun Oyebanji to deliver more dividends of democracy to them.
The Chairman of Afenifere in Ekiti state, Elder Yemi Alade stated this while addressing newsmen in Ado Ekiti after the group undertook on- the site- assessment of some of the completed and ongoing road projects being done by the state government.
The projects inspected included: Iworoko-Ado-Ifaki road, the ring road which starts from Iworoko down to Are Ekiti, Afao to the Cargo airport, the reconstructed Jimoh Aliu/ Wole Adewumi township road in Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti and the newly tarred Obisesan road which linked old Iyin road to new Iyin road was also visited among others.
Speaking further on why the government should ensure that projects are completed, Alade, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Bayo Idowu said, “Taxpayers’ money funds projects whether it is federal allocation or whatever, so it should be supported.
” It is not only that road that the present government completed. Project abandonment is a waste of resources for the people and is not valuable.
“That is why I will reconcile it with what people say about Nigerians being hungry and we are fixing the vice president’s house. This project has been left unattended to and abandoned for more than twenty years.
“Those are the areas that can help save costs. Money paid on rented apartments will be in the government’s coffers and probably be used for other things. So, abandonment of projects should not be encouraged in Ekiti and worldwide because it is to the disadvantage of the people. The social, economic and security effects of abandoned projects are not good”.
The Afenifere leader who harped on the need to support the governor said, “He needs Ekiti people’s support; that is why I said he is prepared to work harder and more work, and he needs support.
“They may term it politics, but he rose to the corridor of power on the back of the people. So he is providing services for them, which means he deserves their support, and all decisions are political.
“Oyebanji style of politics is accommodating, all-inclusive, encompassing and with a human face “.
He noted that road infrastructure is very important to development, particularly the governor’s mantra of prosperity.