The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has disclosed that his administration has successfully created strong institutions that will stand the test of time and make the state thrive across different sectors.
The governor noted that states do not need strong governors or administrators but strong institutions that can make them do well and add value in all ramifications.
Governor Makinde stated this on Thursday, when he signed the Oyo State Project Monitoring Agency Bill (2024) into Law, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
He stated that though his administration met a Bureau of Public Procurement and Governor’s Monitoring Team on the ground when it came on board in 2019; there was no value for money paid on projects.
According to Governor Makinde, the major legacy of his administration will be the creation of institutions that will ensure that the state continues well into the future.
“People ask me what will be my legacy? Our legacy will be the institutions that we are able to create to ensure that Oyo State will continue well into the future to enjoy good governance.
“We do not want strong men or strong governors but strong institutions that will stand the test of time. So, this is one of the institutions that are being created.”
Speaking about project monitoring, Governor Makinde said “We must extract value for the people of the state. So, this is one institution that will ensure that values are extracted for our projects in terms of schedule and quality.”
The governor lauded the House of Assembly for demonstrating togetherness and working hand in hand with the executive to ensure that the people of the state have value for their money.
“Let me use this opportunity to say thank you to the House. It is a demonstration of the togetherness between the legislature and executive arms of government. This is Oyo State and this is how we will continue to operate,” he added.
Reacting to the signing, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin said that the law by Governor Seyi Makinde is timely and will improve service delivery and ensure projects are completed on time.
“It was a great honour for me to witness the signing into law of the Oyo State Project Monitoring Agency Bill, 2024 by His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde.
“This is a further attestation to the avowed resolve of the present administration in Oyo State to monitor and evaluate consultants and projects performance level based on delivery, time and contractual agreements with Government.
“The quest for value for money in Government activities especially for projects executed and contracts approved by the State Government led to the creation of this Agency. This will put an end to a large number of erstwhile uncompleted and abandoned projects in the State. Hence the importance of Oyo State Project Monitoring Agency cannot be underscored,” Oyo Speaker said.
He reiterated that the Agency will ensure efficient and effective programmes and projects implementation.
The Speaker, however, congratulated the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Project Monitoring, Engr Open Salawu who is going to head the Agency, and charged him and his team to ensure continuous feedback to Government on its various projects.
“I will like to use this medium to congratulate the Executive Assistant to His Excellency on Project Monitoring, Engr. Open Salawu who is going to head the Agency, and the other team members, and charge them to justify the confidence reposed in them by working to improve contractors performance and ensuring timely and effective execution of projects across the State,” Ogundoyin said.
