May 15, (THEWILL) – Businessman cum politician, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has expressed serious concern over the parlous state of infrastructure in the country.
With particular reference to the power and aviation sectors of the economy, Ajadi urged the Federal Government to wake up to its responsibility of ensuring workable infrastructure for economic growth and people’s well-being.
Ajadi, who is the Managing Director of Bullion Go-Neat Global Limited and the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ogun State, in the last general elections, made this known while speaking with journalists on Monday, on the backdrop of his experiences in the course of his recent tourism vacation to Tanzania.
He described as disheartening, the near comatose state of power, roads and water facilities in the country, saying it is a strong indictment on those holding the reins of power.
He wondered why Nigeria, with over 200 million people, was still talking about 5,000 MW of power supply, whereas countries with fewer populations like Tanzania, were already consolidating twenty-hour power supply to their citizens.
Ajadi contended that Nigeria needed to do more in those crucial sectors to be able to attain real socio-economic development.
He said his short tourism experience vacating in Tanzania, had redoubled his conviction and strident calls for a focused government in Nigeria across all levels to make quality governance possible in the country.
That kind of governance, he said, was possible by putting in key positions, individuals with clarity of vision and sincerity of purpose.
He said despite being comparatively small, the Tanzania Airport, for example, could boast of needed aviation facilities, and a more conducive environment.
He, therefore, called on the Nigerian government to urgently prioritise facilities not just at the airports and other gateways, but at other sectors critical to the nation’s socioeconomic development.
“My experience in Tanzania has shown indeed that workable and efficient infrastructure is possible in Nigeria, it only needs the resolve and the right persons.
“If 24-hour power supply is possible in Tanzania, it should be much more so in Nigeria, not to talk of other associated infrastructure.
“I am using this opportunity, therefore, to appeal to our government to prioritise our infrastructure so that the much desired sustainable economic development would become a reality in Nigeria,” Ajadi said.
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
