Osun is not broke, says Aregbesola

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday debunked the rumour that the state is broke.

He said Osun is economically strong, despite the massive construction work going on across the state.

The governor spoke in Osogbo, the state capital, after inspecting some on-going projects.

He said contrary to speculations in some quarters that the state was insolvent, its economy was growing.

Aregbesola described some opposition leaders, particularly in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as “political jobbers”, who cannot see anything good in his administration.

He urged the people to disregard the rumour, saying: “Do not mind their claim that the state is bankrupt. You can see that there is massive construction work going on everywhere. If the state is insolvent, will there be these kind of development in virtually all areas?

“Osun is not insolvent. The question of insolvency should not even arise at all. They are just jabbering and we will not be distracted by their negative comments.”

On why he had not been inaugurating projects since he assumed office, Aregbesola said the inauguration of projects was meant for lazy leaders.

He said in advanced countries, leaders do not roll out drums to inaugurate projects, adding that such ceremony was a waste of public funds.

Aregbesola said: “Our administration does not believe in inaugurating projects. We believe it is the people’s projects, so why must you inaugurate it. In advanced countries, we do not see leaders inaugurating projects the way we do in this country.”

He expressed satisfaction with the work done by the contractors handling various projects, adding that they were working according to specification and should complete the projects on schedule.