Former governor of Osun state, Chief Gboyega Oyetola, while appearing before the Senate for his ministerial screening, explained how he turned around the economy of Osun state.
The former Osun governor, Oyetola revealed to the lawmakers that at the time he was governor, N2.5 billion was being deducted at source from the Federal Allocation accruable to the State to settle State indebtedness.
He said that despite the huge monthly deductions, his administration never owed workers’ salaries and pensions.
Osun under his watch, Chief Oyetola declared, also provided other basic amenities like 332 Primary Health Centres, one per ward; and built roads and other infrastructure.
“I am the immediate past Governor of Osun State, where we served for four impactful years. We came in at a time when the state was almost insolvent. But God helped us to pull through and we were able to stabilise the economy of the state.
“Mr. President, Sir, Distinguished Senators, long before today, without any additional intervention from the Federal Government, we introduced the monthly Food Support Scheme for 30, 000 vulnerable persons in Osun. We ran the programme until we left the office.
“We ran an inclusive and participatory model of governance. We embarked on an ambitious revitalisation agenda in the health sector as we are on record to have been the first in Nigeria’s history to embark on the revitalisation of 332 Primary Healthcare Centres, one per ward, across the State at a go.
“Under our leadership in Osun, we won several awards for a rare display of capacity to manage a State like Osun for four years without borrowing, yet delivering the dividends of democracy. We constructed over 500km of roads, including roads that had been abandoned for close to 30 years or more. We also reformed our mining sector, thereby setting a strong foundation for the diversification of the Osun economy,” Oyetola added.
Federal lawmakers on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party from Osun, led by Senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi set aside political differences on Friday as they eulogised the immediate past Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
The lawmakers from the main opposition party described Chief Oyetola as an urbane politician also commended his stewardship while he held sway as the state Chief Executive.
He said: “Adegboyega Oyetola is a democrat, a financial, insurance and management guru who brought to bear his private and public sector experience on Osun and its poor financial standing.”
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