It's just one hundred days in office for Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, sixth democratically elected Governor of Ondo State and the narrative has changed.
Arakunrin has been able to change the narrative. That narrative that one month allocation from the Federation Account plus Internally Generated Revenue of the state was not enough to pay a month salary of workers.
In less than one hundred days in office, Governor Akeredolu has paid the state public servants five times-February to May, 2017 and the arrears of August, 2016. Workers are now sure of getting paid at the end of every month.
It would have been needless to talk about his prudent life style if it has not saved the state from wasteful ventures, like chattering of plane for state executives and the feeding for worshipers at the Government House Champlain at the expense of the state. All that are now histories. Arakunrin will board plane like every other citizens to save cost.
Dr Nura Ankali who met him on the queue said this about him: "Today, I met this gentleman and his wife at an airport security check. I was right behind him on the queue, and noticed how he submitted to scanner check, wristwatch and shoe removed". That's why he has chosen to be addressed simply as Arakunrin. It's not for sententiousness. It epitomizes service through self denial and humility.
In Agriculture, Arakunrin has flagged off the plantation of Gmelana trees on 10,000 hectares of land at Omotosho in Okitipupa Local Government Areas of the state. The project is in partnership with Wewood Limited, a Chinese wood company based in the state. It's expected to generate 10,000 jobs for the unemployed youths. Governor Akeredolu has equally given a matching order to the 18 Local Government Interim Chairmen to make available 100 hectares of land for agriculture purposes in their respective Local Government Areas. This is addition with the 100 hectares already made available for FADAMA II Project.
Arakunrin seems determined to return Ondo State to its glory days, when agriculture was the mainstay of Nigerian economy. The last time we had it so good in agriculture was about 30 years ago, during PA Adekunle Ajasin. That was the last time we planned and planted for the future.
In the health sector, Akeredolu has received the donation of 40 ultrasound machines from the Embassy of the People Republic of China and installed at the Mother and Child Hospital in Ondo. However, the rehabilitation of the internal link roads at the State Specialist Hospital in Akure, the state capital, has been completed.
The singular gesture of Mr Governor to reinstate the unjustly sacked workers and lecturers at the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko and Rufus Giwa Polytechnics Owo, couple with the revitalization of the Ondo State University Of Science and Technology Okitipupa, which was hitherto neglected and unattended to, all these have brought stability and sustainable development in the education sector of the Sunshine State.
Provision of infrastructure, the credibility and ability of the Governor to attract development partners seems to be working for him. At the inception, the Governor signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for the construction of the coastal road from Araromi Seaside in Ondo State to Akodu/Ibeju Lekki in Lagos state.
In all multilateral agencies of government and development institutions, where the provision of counterpart funding is required from the state, the new government has been forthcoming. Like the Universal Basic Education Program, The World Bank Projects and FADAMA II Project.
Furthermore, the Governor has set up a committee headed by the renounced industrialist, Engr Funsho Kupoluku to meet with the various stakeholders in a view to revitalizing the Olokola Free Trade Zone. This doesn't stop the government from completing some critical roads in the state. Good examples are; the Abusoro off Ijoka in Akure, Ilara-Mokin and Sabomi/ Idi Itala road in Ese-Odo Local Government Areas of the state.
Rural Development, the Governor has presented cheques of about N155 million to not less than 19 rural communities to assist them to complete viable self help projects.
Apart from the concluded plan of the state government to compensate owners of the houses around the Akure township Stadium in a bid to create more access roads and entrances, the Governor is determined to bring in sport veterans to reposition Sports in the state. To this end, a transition committee headed by the former Director General of the National Sport Commission, Otunba Gbenga Elegbeleye has been inaugurated.
Most importantly, Governor Oluwarotimi Rotimi Akeredolu has been able to engender a smooth working relationship between the legislative arm of government and the executive. The recent developments in the State House of Assembly have given rise to more productive working relationship. It's with the same ease that the Governor navigate the political space from Ondo State to the Southwest and straight to the mainstream national politics in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
In all of these, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu doesn't want to make noise about his monumental achievements in just A Hundred Days ! That's why he's our ARAKUNRIN a humble Revolutionist. Akeredolu would always say; " we are not there yet. We are not perfect. We have not done anything near perfection. But we own the people a duty to return our dear state to its place of pride ".
No doubt, The One Hundred Days of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in saddle has set the state on the part of redemption!
The Sun has really begun to shine again in Ondo State.
Source: Sam Ogunmusi
PhotoCredit: Sam Ogunmusi
Good Job Governor Akeredolu
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