Category: Southwest

Former governor of Ogun state and Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has called on his constituents to demand transparency and accountability from the state and local governments on how they have utilized the increased federal allocations received since the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking on Sunday at Idokunnusi, Ijebu Imushin, during his Midterm Community Assessment and Review Tour in Ijebu East Local Government, Daniel said both tiers of government have been receiving substantial allocations in the last two years and must justify how the funds have been spent.

Daniel, who represents nine local government areas under Ogun East Senatorial District, addressed a large gathering of political stakeholders, supporters, and constituents, using the occasion to distribute empowerment items, including motorcycles, deep freezers, sewing machines, fertilizers, sprayers, and grinding machines.

Responding to complaints about poor roads, unpaid stipends for traditional rulers, and general neglect of the region despite its economic potential, the senator explained that such issues fall under the responsibility of the state and local governments.

He expressed sympathy for the underdevelopment of the district, noting that the area is blessed with abundant natural resources that should make it a hub of prosperity.

Daniel also urged the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration to revive the Olokola Deep Sea Port project, which his government initiated at Ode-Omi in Ogun Waterside Local Government, saying the project could create over 50,000 jobs, boost internally generated revenue, and transform the state’s economy.

The senator further disclosed that he has begun discussions with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to harness the bitumen deposits in Ijebu East for the benefit of Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

He said, “For our people here in Ijebu East, I share in some of your pains on the current state of underdevelopment, especially because I am aware that this whole community should be thriving in wealth and prosperity especially with the abundance of natural resources which God Almighty has endowed us which has the capacity to sustain an entire nation.

“During my time as Governor of Ogun State, we discovered that Ogun East has the largest deposit of Bitumen anywhere in Nigeria. Our vision then was very clear: to create a whole new city for Bitumen mining and exploration which we believe would increase the economic prosperity and impact positively on the lives of the people living in the area. We envisioned this area bubbling with multinational investments, industries, jobs, and infrastructure, all driven by Bitumen exploration and processing.

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“Unfortunately, that vision stalled due to neglect after our administration. That is why I started by sympathizing with you because I understand your frustration and share in your hope for a new dawn.

“When you sent me to Abuja as your Senator, I took it as a sacred responsibility, not only to make laws (which of course is the primary responsibility of the Senate), but also to leverage on relationships with the President and other agencies of government at the executive level to influence government policies and attract development projects that can revive and empower our communities.

“I am in contact with, and delighted to inform you that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, under the exceptional leadership of my friend and brother, Mr. Dele Alake, and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has assured that the Bitumen wealth of Ijebu East will soon be put to productive use. I have every confidence in that assurance because Dele Alake is not only a trusted colleague and friend of over four decades; he is a man of results.

“Let me say with emphasis, the mining sector under President Tinubu has received greater attention and the revenue from the solid minerals sector has grown from ₦6 billion to ₦38 billion in just one year, a record-breaking transformation driven by efficiency, transparency, and accountability. And this was made possible by the President’s bold declarations that the era of exporting raw minerals is over and that mining licences will only be granted to investors who commit to local processing and value addition as a means of creating jobs for our local population and industries to ensure that prosperity derives from mining stay within Nigeria.”