by Kayode Awojobi
According to a comprehensive list of projects executed by Local Government Councils of Oyo State as of November 18, 2024, made available via; https://feedbackoysg.com/projects-by-local-government-councils-as-of-2024/, in the Oke-Ogun segment of the list, out of 21 projects executed by the local councils till November 2024, Iseyin Local Government had 13 projects to its credit, among them are: Construction of a 100m fence wall to the gatehouse, Construction and overlay of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Iseyin campus road network-major roads (dual) with street lights, Furnishing of Administrative buildings, Supply and Installation of Air Conditioners, Pipe laying, Cabling, and control for 750- and 800-Seater Auditoriums, Furnishing of offices, Classrooms, and Box rooms of 500 Capacity Auditoriums, Extension of Electricity to the existing blocks and proposed Market/Motor Park at the College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, LAUTECH (Iseyin Campus), Construction of reinforced concrete culverts, rubble stone drains, and retaining walls, earthworks, and asphaltic concrete paving of Asado/Justice Ariwoola-Bayo Raji quarters to K.S.B. Filling Station Road, among others. Unfortunately, Kajola Local Government, under the leadership of Hon. Barrister Mustapha Akeem (Mugaty) doesn’t have a single project to its record on that comprehensive list, either ongoing or completed
This is particularly disheartening given that Hon. Mugaty was elected as the Executive Chairman of Kajola Local Government after losing his re-election bid for the Oyo State House of Assembly. Despite being sworn in on May 24, 2024, following a walkover election, his administration has failed to meet expectations.
A review of other local governments in Oyo State shows a different story. For instance, the Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Olufade Oluwaseun, commissioned a motorized borehole in Loko area to commemorate his first 100 days in office. Similarly, as part of activities to commemorate his first 100 days in office as a council chairman, in August 2024, the Executive Chairman of Olorunsogo Local Government, Hon. Qozeem Olayanju, commissioned two projects in his council area. Hon. Olayanju, among many projects he had embarked on, completed the renovation and furnishing of the local government headquarters of the Department of State Security Services. The Executive Chairman also completed a Community Viewing Center in Igbeti, which will now be used as a community hall. Also, the Executive Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government of Oyo State, Hon. Olufade Oluwaseun, constructed a Pacesetter modern car park and lock-up shops in front of Ibadan North Local Government Council, Agodi.
Similarly, in September 2024, the Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Engr. Akeem Olatunji, aided the restoration of electricity supply to over 15 communities, including the council secretariat, after over 10 years of total blackout. In celebrating his own 100 days in office, the Executive Chairman of Atisbo Local Government, Bashir Alade, commissioned projects that included a block of 3 rooms office with toilet and cell at the AMOTEKUN Security Post in Ago-Are, a block of two rooms office, toilet, and cell at the police security post at Alakuko area, Tede, and a motorized borehole at Irawo.
In contrast to aforementioned, Hon. Mugaty’s administration launched a health insurance initiative for vigilantes to mark his 100 days in office, which pales in comparison to the projects commissioned by other chairmen, as stated above, while Hon. Olatunji of Oluyole local government restored electricity to 15 communities in his council, as of today, no town in Kajola Local Government can boast of 24 hours of electricity a week. It’s pathetic that while other chairmen have delivered tangible results in their council, Kajola Local Government remains underdeveloped.
The grading of feeder roads flagged off by Hon. Mugaty in December 2024 is a step in the right direction, but the condition of most feeder roads in the local government area remains deplorable. The rehabilitation of the Okeho-Ilua-Igbogaa-Ado Awaye road, initiated in August 2024, has yielded little results, with the road still in a poor state and one would ask if there are no budgetary funds coming to Kajola Local Government from the federal government or if the local government is being shortchanged.
Mr. Chairman, I agree that you might not really understand what is expected of an Executive Chairman of a local government, as it was just a compensation for you, having lost your re-election into the State Assembly. However, I cannot blame you for your failure alone at this time; the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde and your party, Peoples Democratic Party, also have a hand in this. But the people should learn to always revolt against failures totally. My belief is that had you performed well as an Assembly person, you wouldn’t have lost your re-election, and like the Governor, it’d have been a walkover for you. Unfortunately, your achievements then speak little or no volume compared to those you served together with from other local governments, and this is the same thing you’re replicating as an Executive Chairman of Kajola Local Government. You can do better, sir.
However, I commend Hon. Mugaty for constructing an Amotekun post around Commonwealth estate to boost security architecture in the local government. I also note that plans are underway to resuscitate boreholes drilled during your time as an Assembly member to commemorate your first year in office as executive chairman, which I hope will benefit the people this time around.
Mr. Chairman, before long, the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, will commence operations in the LG headquarters, and the contribution of your administration to the ongoing projects on the University’s site is yet to be seen. On the other way round, with the short distance between Okeho and Ilero, your hometown will benefit tremendously with the upcoming establishment of the University in Okeho, and it’s also an opportunity for your administration to leave a lasting legacy by contributing to the development of this nascent institution.
As Hon. Mugaty approaches his one-year anniversary in office, I urge him to do better. The people of Kajola Local Government deserve improved infrastructure and social amenities. With two years remaining in his tenure, I hope he will take concrete steps to uplift the face of the local government.
I offer this critique not to condemn Hon. Mugaty’s administration but to encourage him to improve. The people of Kajola Local Government should not have to endure poor infrastructure and lack of basic amenities. I believe that with dedication and hard work, Hon. Mugaty can still make a positive impact in the lives of his constituents.
As I conclude, I appeal to Hon. Mugaty to take our suggestions seriously and work towards leaving a lasting legacy in Kajola Local Government. The clock is ticking, and the people are watching.
‘Kayode Awojobi is a multiple award winning broadcast journalist, he’s a political and social commentator.
