Osun govt reacts to news of Wole Soyinka High School’s sorry state

By Isa Isawade

The Osun State Government on Wednesday reacted to story of the current sorry state of the Wole Soyinka Government High School Ejigbo which was broken on Tuesday by P.M.NEWS.

Concerned members of the public had called attention of P.M.NEWS to the unfortunate state of one of the prized facilities that should always command urgent and regular attention of any government.

As a conscious member of the Fourth Estate of the realm who is always duty bound to call attention of relevant authorities to issues that impact the governed and society at large, P.M.NEWS did the needful.

The Osun government has responded swiftly to address the public over the embarrassing situation.

In an official statement entitled: “Setting the Record Straight: Wole Soyinka High School’s Condition and the Adeleke Administration’s Commitment to Education” signed by Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the state government denied abandoning the facility and explained that the current state of the facility was due to a “natural disaster” and shoddy job done by the contractor.

According to the statement,” the deterioration is not due to abandonment by the current administration but the result of a natural disaster and prior substandard renovation work.”

The government explained further that: “Towards the end of former Governor Oyetola’s tenure, the school was indeed renovated by a contractor engaged by the previous administration. However, the work done fell below acceptable standards. This year, a severe rainstorm hit the area, damaging many structures including this school, damage that was worsened by the poor quality of earlier renovation.

“The current administration has made education a top priority. While this school was not captured in the immediate phase of the infrastructure upgrade plan recently announced, it has been noted for urgent attention in the next phase…”

The government also stated that despite the shoddy job done, it has fully paid the contractor.

“It is also important to state that the state government is not owing the contractor who handled the last renovation. Accountability is being enforced, and such negligence will not be tolerated. Moving forward, quality control and due diligence will guide every renovation project,” the statement said.

However, the important question that agitates discerning minds is: Are the innocent pupils and staff of the Wole Soyinka Government High School Ejigbo going to remain in such an unsafe environment while the world awaits the Osun government’s “next phase” of infrastructure upgrade?