IT is necessary to bring the above issue to the attention of the general public so as to call all those concerned to order.
The people of Osun knows that 10 years ago, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola took the giant decision to inject new life into the education sector of the State of Osun via the convocation of the highly successful and well attended education summit Chaired by our renowned Nobel laureate, Prof.Wole Soyinka. The outcome of the summit produced far-reaching innovative decisions needed to change the face of Education in the State in every sphere especially on infrastructure,, modern learning and teaching, Students well being and many more.
The development led to reclassification of the schools which gave rise new school design arrangement. Most of the structures were completed and put into use since 2016. To the glory of God, the new school infrastructure has added so much value to the state’s educational development and has restored the people’s confidence in government schools in Osun.The new education policy has recorded a lot of success.
It is therefore very sad, inhuman and wicked to start to play dirty politics, not only at the expense of the collective resources of the people but also, the future of the younger ones in the state as there are concluded plans to create an atmosphere of uncertainty around the mega school buildings which are known to be major breakthrough and landmark achievements of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s government. The plan, when executed, will send the schools into coma, render the structures useless, evacuate the students and later put the schools under permanent lock.
Baring any last minute change, the Governor of the state, Alh. Gboyega Oyetola has concluded all arrangements to create a false impression and
announce to the general public this week that all the mega school buildings are in bad shape, structurally deficient and may soon collapse, therefore, there’s need to embark on majt renovation of the mega schools all in an attempt to paint Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola bad to the public and render the structures useless forever.
The notorious plan started some months ago with composition of an in- house committee by the commissioner of Works @Oluremi Omowaiye with the message that there were complaints on the 11 Mega schools and there will be need to inspect the schools and come up with a report. Emphasis was laid on the structural integrity of the structures.
The in- house committee went round the schools and came back to write their report in which nothing indicates that the structures are not safe. This didn’t suit Gov. Oyetola’s purpose but the in- house committee , being professionals didn’t compromise.
Dissatisfied with their stance, the commissioner for works @Oluremi Omowaiye decided to use another approach to achieve their dirty aim, this time around, by engaging a consultant for the same assignment and after the consultant finished the work still went ahead to involve the professional bodies in the built environment sector in Osun state for the same assignment, all with a purpose to find structural faults.
By a letter dated 28th September, 2021 signed by Remi Omowaiye (on the approval of Gov. Oyetola), addressed to the professional bodies in the built environment industry in the state, requested for a joint inspection to the mega schools with the professional bodies in the state.
In his words ” The inspection is with a view to determining the structural integrity and sustainability of the school projects for the safety concern of the pupils and ……( Whatever that means). He further maintained that ” the request was based on the routine inspection of the facilities as well as the report of previously engaged consultants for the exercise”
For the sake of humanity, if Gov. Oyetola and his gangs have so much hatred for Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, it’s time to let them know that they are going too far .
From the tune of the letter addressed to the professional bodies, it is obvious that all Gov. Oyetola wants is a report that will be so dreaded and put all the mega schools in a bad light before the general public as a disaster waiting to happen any moment.
Since their evil intention is now exposed, it is necessary for them to explain to the general public, the followings;
1)- Were there statement of complaints that bothers on dilapidation, damage or structural failure on any of the schools and when?
2)- Who are the previous consultants and on what basis were they engaged?
3)-Were the nature of the complaints warrant such engagement for such exercise?
4)- What happened to the design consultants that worked on the projects from the start, were they notified? If no, why?
5)- Why is the government not satisfied with the report of the consultants that were engaged and paid for their services that they are now requesting for another round of inspection with the professional bodies in the state?
From the above, it is obvious that the real intention of Gov. Oyetola and his incompetent commissioner for works is not honest, genuine or sincere. It was just to look for a way to start to paint the legacies of Aregbesola black in the state. Same thing they did to the freedom Park that has now turned to a jungle in the city.
While nobody is against any form of maintenance, renovation or rehabilitation of any public infrastructure, using it as a political tool to denigrate a person or personality is unreasonable and petty. Periodic maintenance is a norm and routine known to any public building but maliciously adding politics to it is disastrous and a great disservice to the people of Osun.
Let Mr. Governor or his incompetent Remi Omowaiye come out on this and explain why the good people of this state deserves this kind of dishonesty from them.