17th August, 2021
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
Oyo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, approved a N6 billion credit facility for the Gov. Seyi Makinde-led administration to bridge infrastructural deficit and enhance even development across the state.
A request letter sent to the lawmakers by the executive, stated that the loan request was to ensure seamless execution of contracts it had awarded.
The Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, said that the governor-in-council met and approved that an additional N5 billion loan facility and the balance of N1 billion window, both of First Bank Nigeria Plc, be made available to the state government.
“The total sum will be used to finance the existing projects in the state,” he said.
Ogundoyin said that the assembly would continue to monitor the expenditure of the executive arm to ensure that the loans being approved were strictly used for the development of the state and completion of ongoing projects.
“Our economy cannot develop if we do not have enough funds to develop necessary infrastructure.
“We have the assurances of the executive council that the burden of the loan will not be borne by the next administration, as all efforts will be made to pay them back on short terms.
“In view of the importance attached to the loan request, I implore us to support the efforts of Gov. Makinde towards developing the state,” he said.
In his contribution, the Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin (PDP-Ogbomoso North), said that it was important to expand the state’s economy.
He, however, said that this might be difficult if there were no enough infrastructures on ground to attract and drive the development.
“If we cannot afford to abandon all the ongoing development projects, then we need funds to complete them,” he said.