The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has questioned the engineering credentials of Governor Seyi Makinde, asking why he claimed to have studied electrical engineering yet wasted over N250 billion on diesel-guzzling generators to power streetlights in Oyo State.
A statement by the Campaign Organisation on Saturday condemned what it called “the embarrassing culture of waste, poor planning and misplaced priorities that have become the hallmark of Makinde’s wasteful administration in Oyo State.”
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The campaign organisation, through its Head, Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, was reacting to Mr Makinde’s statement on Friday, where he described Sharafadeen Alli as a lawyer who has never entered the courtroom.
“It is a tragic irony that Governor Makinde, who studied electrical engineering, cannot devise a sustainable electricity solution for the streetlights installed with about N400 billion of state funds by his government.
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“Instead, the administration continues to power them with fuel-guzzling generators—an outdated, expensive and environmentally harmful arrangement funded from the public purse.
“At a time when modern cities are embracing solar-powered and energy-efficient streetlighting systems, Oyo State remains trapped in the age of diesel generators under the supervision of an electrical engineer. It is more embarrassingly illogical given the fact that his predecessor undertook the same project with solar system.
“If not for the prime purpose of enriching self, cronies and deliberately wasting Oyo State funds, why will Governor Makinde destroy the solar infrastructures and electric poles installed by his predecessor instead of repairing and upgrading them to higher solar grade? To worsen the case, Makinde’s streetlight project has become dysfunctional, as load-shedding has become the only way a few of the project operate.
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“This raises serious questions about the governor’s competence, priorities and commitment to prudent management of taxpayers’ money. Should we judge Governor Makinde’s claim as an electrical engineer by his streetlight project, the answer is obvious to all.
“Equally disturbing is the reported failure of the renovated Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan to secure CAF approval for Shooting Stars Sports Club to host a continental fixture.
“After committing over N5 billions to the stadium renovation project, followed by great fanfare in 2021, the facility could not satisfy the requirements for the very international matches expected of a major sporting arena.
“What, then, did Governor Makinde renovate? Who certified the work, and why should Shooting Stars be forced to seek an alternative venue in Abeokuta, Ogun State after Oyo taxpayers had financed the reconstruction of their traditional home ground?
“The situation represents more than an administrative lapse. It is an embarrassment to Shooting Stars, their supporters and the entire people of Oyo State, and a disgrace to the Makinde-led administration. A stadium renovation that cannot meet the standards required for continental football is another monument to the Makinde administration’s preference for publicity over quality and durable results.
“From streetlights powered with generators to a refurbished stadium unsuitable for continental football, the evidence points to a government that spends heavily but delivers poorly.
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“The people of Oyo State deserve infrastructure that works, projects that provide value for money and a government capable of planning beyond ceremonies, billboards and political propaganda.
“Oyo State must move away from expensive improvisation and cosmetic governance that have become the order of the day under Makinde.
“Public projects must be designed and executed to serve the people—not merely to provide opportunities for political showmanship,” the statement said.
The campaign organisation added that nothing buttresses the fact that Mr Alli has been living rent-free in Mr Makinde’s mind than the governor using every speaking opportunity to mention and bring the APC governorship candidate into his address.
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