Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has expressed surprise that his revelation that he borrowed N7 billion to pay May salaries of workers had elicited unhealthy attention from Ogun people and the public.
Abiodun noted that he was palpably taken aback by the “spin” given to the essence of his meeting with the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and chieftains on Monday by spinners, which led people to focus mainly on the N7 billion loan secured from friends.
The governor, in a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, however, added that the government has chosen to be forward-looking and not allow itself to be distracted.
He explained that the meeting was called to harmonize the positions of the government with that of the party on how to move the state forward and ensure that the dividends of democracy penetrate to the grassroots level.
The governor stated: “Rather than focus on the developmental issues discussed, attention has been focused on the good gesture of the governor to secure a loan to pay the May salaries of the workforce.
“The government chooses to be forward-looking and not to be distracted, and I would like to state that the meeting was called to harmonize the positions of the government with that of the party on how to move the state forward and ensure that the dividends of democracy percolate to the grassroots level.
“The common agenda is operationalisation of the governor’s project of joint prosperity of all in the Gateway State and the buy-in of the leadership of the party as critical stakeholders in the scheme of things are of essence.
“At the meeting Governor Abiodun unfolded how he would build one primary health care center in each of the 236 wards of the state, using local manpower.
“He explained that he would rehabilitate 236 primary schools, one in each of every ward in the state, and set up a job portal for his administration to have accurate statistics of skilled and unskilled labor in the state.
“He said he has emplaced a portal to register on a continuous basis for unemployed youths with a view to providing them jobs suitable for their trades and academic qualifications.
“We shall be public-private sector-oriented in our governance model, he said, adding that members of the APC should not be discouraged, that we are going to have an inclusive government that will utilize valuable potentials that abound in the state, irrespective of party affiliations. (The Nation)
