There has been an assurance that the two surveillance aircraft, procured by the Oyo State Government at the cost of ₦7,763,360 billion, will finally arrive in the state by the end of July.
The assurance was stated in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, at the end of the weekly Executive Council, held on Wednesday.
The delay in the arrival of the surveillance aircraft
He stated that it was the desire of the state government to take delivery of the two aircraft much earlier, but the assembling of the components by the Chinese manufacturers took longer than originally anticipated.
The commissioner recalled that two days after the Oriire Abduction, two months ago, the state government issued a statement confirming the arrival of the surveillance aircraft at the Nigerian Air Force Hangar in Ikeja, Lagos State.
The government had also announced in the statement then that the process of assembling the aircraft had begun.
Oyelade stated that, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, while briefing the Council, had said he would have loved the two surveillance aircraft to participate in the rescue operation of Oriire abductees but the final decision to make the two aircraft operational was not in his hands, but was dependent on the professional and technical advice of the Chinese manufacturers.
The Council noted that it was better to be on the side of caution, rather than succumb to uninformed public pressure.
Prince Oyelade said the two aircraft were procured at the cost of ₦7,763,360 billion.
The aircraft are DA 42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft and will cover the borders of Oyo State with Kwara State and Republic of Benin.
Meanwhile, the Council has approved the implementation of a strategic intervention loan for an indigenous cassava factory at Ado-Awaye.
The local factory, which produces cassava flour and other derivatives, will benefit over 25,000 farmers, provide employment, and strengthen Oyo State’s position as a leading cassava-producing state.
The total cost of the government’s intervention is an interest-free loan of ₦3 billion.
Still in Oke-Ogun, the Council approved a financial intervention towards the commissioning and commencement of commercial operations of Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited.
The project, it was stated, represented one of the strategic industrialisation initiatives of the state government aimed at promoting agro-industrial development.
It was also to enhance value addition to agricultural produce, creating employment opportunities, and increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
The Council recalled that the state government had previously approved and released the sum of ₦850 million as an equity investment towards the revitalisation and completion of the sugar processing factory located in Iseyin.
As a result of effective management by the Investors and the government’s commitment to this objective, the Council approved the sum of ₦2,461,975 million as an additional government equity investment in Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited.
The Council also approved the construction of the 4-kilometre Idi-Igba/Akinmorin Road in Ilora at a cost of ₦2,900,715 million.
The state government based its approval on the socio-economic rejuvenation expected to result from the construction of the road.
The Council also approved an additional ₦26,768,370 million for the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport.
The approval, it was stated, would cover additional works and the revised Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME), including the construction of the 140-metre strip, runway safety area, blast pad, extra pipe covers, and other ancillary works.
The Council also approved the Healthcare Initiative Project, to be financed through a €55 million French loan backed by the Federal Government.
The loan will fund the modular construction and equipping of hospitals, including a Cardiac Centre, Emergency and Maternity Centres, Operating Theatres, and Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
It will also provide 39 ambulances, 10 dental centres, 200 Primary Healthcare Centres, as well as emergency and maternity facilities at hospitals in Igboora, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Moniya, Kishi, Iseyin, Okeho, and Eruwa.
The Council also approved an initial take-off grant of ₦200 million to support Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in its pursuit of continental honours which have been evasive for 27 years.
