Group Demands Equitable Distribution Of Projects From Makinde

The Oyo Global Forum (OGF) has expressed concern over the recent approval by the Oyo State Executive Council of projects worth over N113 billion, including road construction, rehabilitation, and related works in different parts of the state.

It urged the government to distribute the projects equitably.

The group’s chairman, Taiwo Adebayo, said the government must be more inclusive and open about public finance and resource distribution.

While OGF appreciates the importance of infrastructure development and did not oppose the government’s efforts to improve mobility to accelerate economic growth, it said, “We are deeply concerned that not a single project has been allocated to Oyo Federal Constituency, which is becoming a troubling pattern.

“This omission is especially troubling given the deplorable state of all roads across Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East, and Oyo West Local Government Areas.

“During recent visits to several communities, OGF witnessed firsthand how residents struggle daily with poor access roads, some of which have been cut off entirely, making life more difficult and undermining economic activity.

“People now fix cars with outrageous costs. They should have freed up investment in schooling for their children and family healthcare.

“Apart from roads, there are some critical projects left abandoned in the Oyo Zone, namely the State Hospital and Silos, particularly essential for agricultural transformation.

“The state hospital in Oyo is deplorable, yet a project to expand and strengthen its delivery capacity has been abandoned for years.

“OGF has consistently called for fairer, more inclusive, and participatory budgeting. The latest announcement only reinforces the perception that large-scale public spending decisions are being made without proper consultation, transparency, or equitable distribution.

“We are also mindful that these projects come against the state government’s recent controversial ₦300 billion loan proposal. While borrowing can be a legitimate tool and the government needs to approach the debt market to finance development, all citizens across the state will share the repayment burden. Therefore, it is unjust for the benefits of such debts to be inequitably allocated”.

It urged the state government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, to ensure an equitable distribution of infrastructure projects across all state zones.