Owena Dam: PDP slams Akeredolu over abandoned water project

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Owena Dam: PDP slams Akeredolu over abandoned water project

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, has expressed shock over Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s declaration that the administration of the late Olusegun Agagu never paid for the construction and reticulation of water from the Owena Dam to some part of the state.

The Ondo PDP who frowned over Akeredolu’s statement described the development as a deliberate attempt to falsify history and distort records.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the party’s Director of Publicity, Mr. Zadok Akintoye, who stated that Akeredolu may not be totally aware of the correct position of transactions in respect of the project.

Akintoye maintained that the Agagu’s government who awarded the contract paid the 50 per cent as mobilisation fee to the contractor in accordance with the style of the then administration.

He, however, expressed shock and dismay over Akeredolu’s declaration that no money was paid for the Owen Dam project, describing it as an attempt to perpetrate falsehood in a desperate attempt to hoodwink the people.

He said: “We are indeed shocked and dismayed by the deliberate attempt to falsify history and distort the record.

“The PDP in Ondo State entirely disagrees with the declaration of Governor Akeredolu at his recently held Media Parley where he declared that the PDP-led government of late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, never paid the documented 50 per cent cost for the construction and reticulation of water from the Owena Dam to the Central Senatorial District.

“Without fear of contradiction, we declare emphatically that Dr Olusegun Agagu’s government awarded that contract, and consistent with that administration’s style, 50 per cent mobilisation fee was paid to the contractor.

“This is a fact that government records readily attest to, we, therefore, find it highly irresponsible on the part of this government to attempt to deny obvious facts, perpetrate falsehood in a desperate attempt to hoodwink the people.”

Akintoye who maintained that Akeredolu may not be totally aware of the correct position of transactions in respect of the Owena Dam project, urged him to consult his political associates and current appointees on the issue.

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He said, “we are of the opinion that governance is serious business and therefore, government business must be prosecuted adroitly, this government under Akeredolu should take his responsibilities seriously and be surefooted on declarations he makes concerning the affairs of state.

“We are, however, tempted to believe that Akeredolu may not be totally aware of the correct position of transactions in respect of the Owena Dam project, we thus encourage him to be more diligent at his desk and concentrate fully to the affairs of the state.

“It does him no credit to distort history, his government should rather take up its job of ensuring the protection of our commonwealth and provision of basic amenities for our people very seriously.”

The statement read further “we are well assured, that the governor, if he had taken the pains to consult his political associates and current appointees like Mr. Femi Agagu, the former Chief of Staff to late Dr. Agagu and Yemi Olowolabi, then Press Secretary, both now Commissioners in Akeredolu’s administration; Segun Ajiboye, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, then Media Aide, and even erstwhile APC Senator Omotayo Alasoadura; former Commissioner for Finance under Dr. Agagu, Hon. Victor Olabimtan; former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, he would have been better educated and informed on the issues of Owena Dam.

“We must ask citizens of our dear state to ponder on this falsehood and ask salient questions on what an incumbent governor would seek to gain from denying the facts about the giant efforts made on Owena Dam, except to cover up acts of sabotage and recklessness on the part of the last administration under Dr Olusegun Mimiko, which orchestrated wanton acts of abandonment of laudable projects that would have brought succour to our people, created jobs for our teeming populace, provided infrastructure for development and become a model on how to lift a people from poverty.

“Our party assures the citizens of this state that upon victory in the next election, we would ensure adequate deployment of funds and resources to complete this very important project.”

The Owena dam, in Igbaraoke, Ifedore Local Government Area of the state was designed to be a major source of domestic water supply to the people of Ondo, Akure and its environs.

The dam was constructed in 1966 and can be regarded as one of the biggest reservoirs in the south-west but the dream of the residents of Ondo to have access to potable water through the dam has remained a mirage.

Owena Dam: PDP slams Akeredolu over abandoned water project
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