A coalition of civil societies in Osun State, The Osun Mastermind, TOM, has urged State Governor Ademola Adeleke to ensure that the federal government’s fertiliser subsidy reaches legitimate end users in the state’s best interests.
The group also urged the State Government to maintain appropriate oversight of contractors handling road projects in the state, claiming that some of the current road projects are substandard and not up to par.
However, in a statement issued through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke stated that the group’s criticism is purely political, and that the administration is honest about the fertiliser consignments that come in the state.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Saturday, the group’s Executive Director, Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, urged Governor Adeleke to ensure that government servants did not distort the fertiliser distribution programme to benefit a certain group or influential politicians at the expense of genuine farmers.
His words: “We are, therefore, urging the state government to distribute the fertilisers with fairness, equity, and openness. The delivery of fertilisers to 30 local government areas and area offices cannot be politicised.
“The fertiliser palliative is intended to alleviate the suffering caused by the reduction of petroleum subsidies on Nigerians. As a result, it should benefit the poor rather than worsen their socioeconomic situation.
The fertiliser is projected to increase agricultural production and help the state’s agrarian people.
The organisation also urged the Governor not to be concerned about blacklisting contractors whose project execution falls short of requirements, as has been observed on some of the state’s ongoing road projects.
For example, the Dele Yes Sir end of the approved 91-kilometer Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road repair is littered with potholes, and the pace of work has been extremely slow.
The rapid deterioration of the road is concerning, notwithstanding the enormous amount of money dedicated to the project.
Then we wonder why the Ministry of Works, overseen by the Governor, is tasked with supervising and ensuring the quality of roads has completely failed. Why did they hire a contractor who was completely incapable of doing the job? Can we argue the project was done for monetary gain?
Another example is the Lameco-Old Garage Road and flyover project in Oke Fia, Osogbo. Despite ongoing constructive criticism from well-meaning residents concerning these roads, the PDP-led state government has yet to execute on the mandate for which they were elected in 2022.
The state government should blacklist contractors that perform below specification,the statement reads.
Adeleke, in a statement published by his media aide, revealed that fertilisers from the federal-state programme began arriving in Osogbo late Thursday.
The Ministry announced on Friday the arrival of further trucks, which are still arriving as of the time of posting this article. How can you begin sharing fertilisers that are still arriving in the state? What better way to be honest than to release a statement from the state government detailing arrivals, including the number of trucks?
Regarding road projects, he stated, “The state government is imposing the highest level of standards on ongoing developments across the state, including the Lameco-Okefia dualisation and flyover bridges.
So far, there is no indication, technical or otherwise, that any work under the infrastructure plan is inadequate. The government has no tolerance for sub-par work, and we confirm that the projects are overseen by highly qualified and certified engineers.
Bottom Line
Their concerns about potential politicization of fertilizer distribution underscore the need for transparency to ensure that resources intended to aid farmers reach the intended beneficiaries without being diverted for political gain.
This is essential, especially given the importance of the subsidy in alleviating the economic strain caused by the reduction of petroleum subsidies.
The group’s emphasis on oversight for road projects points to a broader issue of infrastructure quality and public expenditure accountability.
