Address Health, Education Sectors’ Challenges, APC Tells Makinde

All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter, has challenged Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently tackle the “rot” in critical sectors of the state’s economy, particularly in healthcare and education, in the interest of the people.

The opposition party’s call followed a viral video circulating on social media where an unidentified man alleged that doctors and other medical personnel were unavailable to attend to his patient at Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan.

In a statement issued yesterday by the party’s publicity secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC criticised the Makinde administration’s handling of issues affecting the welfare of residents.

It argued that regular payment of salaries and pensions, alongside what “cosmetic projects,” were insufficient indicators of good governance despite the state’s increased revenue from federal allocations, grants, subventions and interventions.

“Despite the huge inflow of funds, the Makinde administration has been found wanting in the delivery of good governance.

“Apart from local government council officials who exist only in title, most commissioners and other political appointees are neither visible nor productive because Governor Makinde runs a one-person administration.

“In the health sector, payment of workers’ salaries and the rehabilitation of some primary healthcare centres are the only achievements the governor can point to.

“LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Adeoyo State Hospitals in Yemetu and Ring Road, Ibadan, as well as general hospitals across the state, are in ruins.

“There are no functional laboratories in public hospitals, while equipment such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-ray machines is unavailable.

“The viral video of the visibly angry man lamenting the absence of doctors at Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu, is a clear testament to the rot in the system. More unfortunate is the fact that the Commissioner for Health is nowhere to be found,” Sadare said.

The APC also alleged that public schools across the state were in poor condition, saying many classrooms were dilapidated while teachers were burdened by what it described as excessive deductions from their salaries and allowances.

“We are concerned that things may get worse before the expiration of Governor Makinde’s tenure because he has shown a determination to prioritise personal ambition and political calculations over the welfare of the people, who deserve quality leadership and value for the enormous resources available to the state,” the statement added.