BEVERLY HILLS, June 30, (THEWILL) – The Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has blamed former President Goodluck Jonathan for the economic woes presently affecting the country, adding that the immediate past president failed to tackle the then theft of crude oil like a commanding officer.
Aregbesola, who was speaking on the present economic challenges in the country, said the meltdown started when militants in the Niger Delta were stealing close to 400,000 barrel of oil on daily basis and left unchecked. This was responsible for the poor economy.
He stated this on Tuesday while breaking fast with journalists, explaining that the government, as presently constituted, is experiencing harrowing times and that the state is being run through ingenuity and goodwill.
According to him, “The present economic meltdown started in 3013 when the militants in the Niger Delta region unleashed mayhem on the country oil installation., stealing the country’ oil to the tune of 400,000 thousand barrel per day, and the stealing has done more harm to the economy of the country.
“By the time I spoke about that the price of oil was N100 per barrel and the country smiling to the bank, but the joy did not last long as the gains was fritter away by the last administration,” the Governor said.
The Governor disclosed that paucity of funds prevented his government from appointing commissioners since it was inaugurated in November 27, 2014, noting that the appointment of commissioners would be additional burden which the state cannot presently afford.
His words, “The state executive council to be constituted will need huge money. This I can’t afford now and those working with me have been doing so on humanitarian grounds. They have not been paid since, I too, since assumption of office has not received any salary from the state and I am not ready to do so.
“I have passion to develop this state and all I am concern about is to make the state enjoying able for the people,” he said, assuring the people of the state that come November 26, all projects embarked by his administration would be commissioned.
Aregbesola continued, “the ongoing projects in the state would not be abandoned but would be completed for the overall interest of the Osun people. My administration will not leave uncompleted projects behind; we are going to do everything within our power to complete all projects we have embarked upon God helping us.”
