Oyo to blacklist communities for damage of public infrastructures

Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

The Oyo state government has said that communities that damage or do not maintain public infrastructures provided for them risk being blacklisted from further government support.

This is as the government also called on community leaders to embark on proper maintenance of the various community projects in their locality as a matter of showing that they are partners in progress with the government.

The Board Chairman of the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA), Dr. Idowu Oyeleke gave the warning while addressing journalists shortly after the meeting of the Board at the agency’s Secretariat in Osuntokun Area of Ibadan.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the inability and failure of some communities to adhere to the lay down rules at ensuring that infrastructures contributed to their community by the government through the agency are preserved.

He admonished the groups and community leaders to ensure maintenance culture and protect the World bank/Oyo state Government projects and facilities provided within their domains, so that the projects can stand the test of time, saying “Our community leaders have roles to play in ensuring that projects in our communities are well maintained and preserved.

“The Governor is determined to take development to the grassroots and has promised to make life more abundance and meaningful for the people irrespective of their location in the state.”

The new CSDA Chairman assured that the vulnerable groups will be reached in the community development programs, adding that the down trodden must be liberated.

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Noting that he has the mandate of Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure that the Agency is repositioned, more transparent, accountable and impactful in order to justify the government and world bank investment in the activities of the Agency, the Chairman disclosed that he will soon embark on an on-the-spot assessment of all the Agency’s completed projects in the last one year and projects ongoing.

Other board members at the meeting include, Secretary of the board and General Manager, CSDA, Mr Christopher Babatubde, Coordinator Legal aid council, Mrs W. F. Odutayo, Chairperson, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Mrs O. A. Agbeja, Chairman, Community Development Council (CDC), Mr Shittu Hammed and the Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Mrs Jadesola Ajibola among others.