Adeleke Blames LG Funds Crisis for Delay in Mega Projects, Hails Progress on Roads, Flyovers

Governor Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday said the ongoing disruption in local government allocations has slowed down parts of the state’s infrastructure drive, even as he expressed satisfaction with the level of work achieved on major projects across Osun State.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration, Dr B.T. Salami, said: “I assure Mr Governor that work is progressing on all the critical projects. Your vision for an interconnected Osun state is gradually becoming a reality,” as he briefed the governor during the project review session with key members of the state executive council and technical teams overseeing ongoing construction.

The governor spoke during the meeting where projects reviewed include the Ile-Ife flyover and dualisation, Lameco flyover in Osogbo, Ila Orangun township dualisation, Osogbo–Ofatedo–Awo Junction road dualisation, Iwo township road dualisation, as well as bridge and road works connecting Ilahun and Ere Ìjèsà, Ibokun–Ilahun–Ere Ìjèsà–Iwoye Ìjèsà routes in Obokun Local Government area.

The meeting also assessed progress on the Otan Ile–Esa Odo–Iwoye Ìjèsà road corridor and other infrastructure projects spread across Ile-Ife, Iwo, Ilesa, Ede, Osogbo and Ila Orangun.

Adeleke, who described field reports as “heartwarming”, directed contractors to accelerate work, insisting that the administration remains committed to timely delivery of projects.

“We must deliver as quickly as possible,” he said, noting that asphalt laying is already ongoing in Ile-Ife, Iwo and Ila Orangun sections.

He, however, attributed some delays to what he described as the hijacking of local government funds, alleging that court-sacked APC chairmen diverted allocations meant for grassroots development.

According to him, the state government has been forced to step in to sustain payment of local government workers, including teachers, health personnel and pensioners for over a year.

“If we had refused to step in, local government services would have collapsed,” Adeleke said. “We have been using state resources to sustain the workforce and keep essential services running.”

He further alleged that nearly N300 billion meant for local governments had been affected, saying the situation was part of a wider political strategy to frustrate ongoing development projects across the state.

“The intention was to strangulate government and abandon projects in Osogbo, Ila Orangun, Ilesa, Ede, Ile-Ife, Iwo and other areas. But they have failed,” he said.

The governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said the field reports were “heartwarming” and in line with the administration’s projections.