• Tuesday, January 21, 2025
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Housing and leadership accountability

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last week, we talked about the opportunities inherent in the season In the edition we captured ‘SEASON’S Bumpa’. Till this point of my writing this edition,  my phone number is still under seige from readers who want to access such unbeatable offers.  This is where we derive our satisfaction from.  When our teaming readers bombard us with calls and emails, we have this sense of satisfaction that we are communicating positively.  This is not to say we shy away from articles that can generate criticism from some quotas,  but we ensure the good of the greater majority of the populace is served. When we wrote ABOUT Decaying Road Infrastructure in Ogun state some months ago,  we got calls from certain quotas expressing strong opinions about our position then.  We of course stood our grounds since we knew our facts were infallible.

Today,  we are better off for it as the listening government of Ogun state swung into action almost immediately and started from where it stopped at the eve of the last election that gave it a much deserved second tenure.  Today,  for those who have interest on the Mowe-Ofada road,  within the vicinity of Obafemi – Owode Local government of Ogun state,  it is already the dawn of a new day as that long stretch of the road under construction is seriously under way. In fact,  one good friend of mine that has a house on that axis that was almost considering relocation from there back to a rented apartment somewhere around Berger area told me a few weeks ago that he is already looking for another parcel of land to buy along that same road before the construction work is done with. This is the reason we are here.

We want that positive change that is desired to improve people ‘s lives.  We are not laying claims to it that our article compeled the amiable governor back to work on that road,  far from it.  However,  if the owl shouts in the night and the baby has convulsions the next morning, can’t the owl said to be responsible?  Anyway,  that’s a story for another day. one thing we all get out of this is that we are here to inform,  educate and to cause a positive change through informative articles even if such amounts to stepping on the toes of some people who selfishly feel the statusquo should be mentained.

The provision of arminities is a component of the social contract between the government and the governed.  The government is duty bound to deliver to the citizenry on this obligation.  It is not negotiable. The government is deemed to have failed if it falls short on this. The people are enraged,  disappointed, shortchanged and utterly loose faith in such a government. No government is said to be people oriented when the scorecard is in the negative in the provisions of infrastructure to its citizens and those basic things that give life a meaning. Such governments will usually be ambushed in its re-election bid.  The last election that brought this so much desired change is clear example of how the people can be tired on non-performance.  The people were resolutely resolved to ensure insolence and indolent were concerned to the trash bin of history. No one could be pacified.  Everyone from the North to the West,  from the south to the east wanted a new thing to happen to our psyche.

Even when the government of the day did everything thing to curry the favor of the citizens with everything within its powere including huge financial inducement,  the people were set to show her the way out. I recall vividly that I was to see a client somewhere around Ogba axis of Ikeja local government area of Lagos state a few days to the the presidential election. When I got there,  I was told she went to the palace of the traditional ruler in her area. After waiting for a while,  she returned  dragging two sack bags on either hands.  I asked her what she went to do in the palace,  she said she was called by the chief to come and take her own share of the rice and tins of tomatoes that were shared by the then ruling party earlier in the day when the party chieftains visited the palace to solicit the support of the traditional chief in getting the co-operation of his people who are a major tribe to recon with in the society.  I threw a question at her to know if rice was worth her vote.  Her reply was shocking.  ‘She said: I don crace before?’  I then asked her if it was not going to be unfair on the party for her to collect rice and refuse to vote the party?  She retorted by asking me a question i could not answer though I could not gather the courage to answer. What happened to the rice – sharing party in that axis was better imagined than experienced!  The party lost woefully and abysmally. It was clear that truly,  the people had decided to take their destinies in their hands. This is what happens when a leader takes the citizens for granted and throw the social contract to the dogs. People in key government positions are beginning to be more careful now.

They are taking the citizens seriously. Everyone now knows that power truly resides with the people. Even the government of the day must watch it’s back.  To the people,  is now ‘share the money,  we vote our conscience’ . It is all about performance now. Am therefore not surprised that governors are sitting up. Some already have very enviable record to show for their hard work. The governor of Ogun state falls in this category.

A man of many parts.  An amiable worker who beliefs in true service. I am therefore not surprised at what he is doing on that long stretched Ofada – Mowe road. Am aware he actually gave the contractor a matching order to ensure on deadline.  No wonder they work round the clock. This is happening at a time some governors can’t even pay salaries except their own. We are aware of states that are contemplating reducing their work force because they can no more contend with salary of eighteen thousand naira minimum wage.  This is not a good way to say ‘thank you’ to the same workers who stood for hours in the sun and the rain to return these same governors that are threatening their livelihoods today.

A governor that receives One Billion naira every month as security vote when the country is not in a full scale war will be unfair to the people not to pay salaries to civil servants. It’s just a matter of commitment to the welfare of such people. For those leaders that prefere the ostrich game hoping the Nigerian people will over look their inadequacy because of a few dericas of rice,  they must watch it. The tide has changed. People are no more ready to run with stomach infrastructure. Perform,  your party stays,  do otherwise,  you are a gunner! Till we come your way next week again, catch in on the season and get for your self that dream house.

Akhigbe Dominic

Nigeria's leading finance and market intelligence news report. Also home to expert opinion and commentary on politics, sports, lifestyle, and more

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