by Tayo Ogunbiyi

The outcome of the 2015 elections, with specific reference to Amosun’s re-election feat has, however, partly rubbished the veracity of the stomach infrastructure hypothesis.

The rocky and ancient town of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, was agog the day after the gubernatorial election took place across the country. Immediately it was officially announced that the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has won the gubernatorial race, the whole town erupted in wild jubilation and unbelievable ecstasy.

In all sincerity, it is difficult to deny Amosun the pleasure of his electoral triumph which is a product of his widely acclaimed sterling performance in the last four years as Governor of the State. Amosun’s victory is a triumph of social infrastructure development over resort to stomach infrastructure. The outcome of the 2015 elections, with specific reference to Amosun’s re-election feat has, however, partly rubbished the veracity of the stomach infrastructure hypothesis.

Undoubtedly, great things are happening in Ogun State under Amosun’s leadership.  Abeokuta, the state capital is wearing a better look. The first over head bridge in the rocky town has been built and commissioned for the use of the people. Presently, new roads and other basic infrastructure are springing up across the state. The ancient town of Ijebu Ode is also experiencing huge infrastructure renewal especially in the area of road construction and rehabilitation. In terms of infrastructure development, the good times are, indeed, here for the people of Ogun State.

Perhaps, the most interesting aspect of the Amosun’s administration trail blazing governance in Ogun State is its determination to even infrastructure development across the state. Unlike previous administrations that grossly neglected satellite communities in the state that share border with Lagos State, the Amosun administration is taking its developmental strides to these hitherto forgotten Ogun state communities. These communities, popularly referred to as ‘New Lagos’, on the account of their proximity to Lagos and the fact that majority of the residents work in Lagos, are undergoing various stages of infrastructure development.

For instance, in the Mowe-Ibafo axis of the State, there are now signs that the state government is working hard to improve the living condition of the people. Currently, the long forgotten Mowe-Ofada road is undergoing considerable expansion and rehabilitation. When it is eventually concluded it would serve as a big relief to residents of the axis. Same goes for Akute, Alagbole, Ajuwon, Ijoko and other such Lagos neighbouring communities of Ogun State.

Of all Amosun’s populist policies and programmes, the one that particularly touches the residents of ‘New Lagos’ is the novel regime in the acquisition of Certificate of Occupancy popularly referred to as C of O.

Through this new C of O initiative, home and land owners in Ogun State have gotten what could be described as a ‘relieve package.’

Through the initiative,  the state Government has reduced land title fees from N430, 000 to N100, 000. Prior to this new regime, a building approval cost N275,000; survey plan was N60,000, stamp duty was N45,000 and the C of O was N50,000. However, with the new land title regime, tagged Homeowner’s Charter, building plan approval now costs N20,000; survey plan N20,000, stamp duty N20,000 and C of O N35,000.

It is in appreciation of all his laudable programmes that majority of the residents of ‘New Lagos’ voted massively for the Governor in the recently concluded election. The challenge before Governor Amosun now is how to sustain the current tempo of development. They have persevered enough with the Governor. Now is the time for him to pay them back.

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– Tayo Ogunbiyi wrote in from Ikeja

 

 
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