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The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde for his frequent foreign trips, describing it as a waste of public funds while neglecting the needs of the citizens.
According to the APC, Makinde’s recent announcement on social media about his European tours with members of his cabinet is part of a pattern of expensive trips that have failed to yield tangible benefits for the state.
But the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, dismissed the claim by the opposition party, saying Makinde’s foreign trips were for the development of the state and had since been yielding positive results.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC argued that despite Makinde’s promises to attract foreign investors, his overseas travels had not resulted in significant development.
The opposition party further said that Makinde’s administration had failed to provide adequate security, implement business-friendly policies, or protect the rights of private individuals and organisations, which are essential for attracting foreign investors.
The APC said, “It is evident that Governor Makinde lacks the wherewithal to personally attract foreign investors since he has nothing to show for the efforts ostensibly channeled in that direction in the last five and a half years.
“The governor had, on several occasions, promised to attract manufacturers of consumable goods, employers of labour and economic development partners from America, Europe, Asia, and other countries in Africa, particularly Botswana, but he has nothing to show for this even after the countless number of trips allegedly sponsored with billions of naira from the state treasury.
“But, the truth of the matter is that no foreign investor would make a state like Oyo under Governor Makinde their preferred destination, since they wouldn’t be guaranteed adequate security, friendly government policies, freedom to operate and prosper within the framework of international trade laws, among others.”
But Makinde media aide in a swift reaction said, “The Oyo State people know that the governor is working for the development of the state. They know that the governor does not embark on frivolous trips.
“A while ago, the governor travelled to the UK to sign a contract with Shell Nigeria Gas, and that particular contract is a monumental one; to be supplying gas to the state for the state electricity generation. That is commendable.
“Some time ago, the governor travelled and was able to secure a multimillion-dollar deal with Africorp Consortium.
“His recent travels were related to agribusiness and education. Would the APC say the state should not attract investment into agriculture or education?
“State resources are meant to be used to get results and Governor Seyi Makinde is deploying resources of the state to get results that will develop the state. So, if anybody has a problem with that, it is really a pity.
“What would they want the governor to do? To fold his arms and allow what happened between 2011 and 2019 to continue? To allow the stagnation the APC subjected the state to continue? No, the governor has moved the needle, he has improved lives and living in Oyo State, and that’s because he is properly and appropriately deploying the state’s resources.”
