Makinde: We’ll pay LAUTECH salaries owed by Osun

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, says the state will have to pay off the salary owed to workers of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso by Osun state. 

Makinde said this during a media chat on his first 100 days in office with BCOS TV.

The governor said the decision to pay the salary is so that students don’t suffer.

The university is co-owned by both Oyo and Osun states.

Makinde explained that an agreement to split the institution during the rule of Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) was signed but never implemented.

He added that he would not shy away from splitting the institution as it is “very important to Ogbomosho”.

“Yesterday, the governing council came to see me and we discussed all these. We’ve signed for worker payments but since it’s owned by both Osun and Oyo states, unfortunately, Osun state has not paid. This can not continue,” Makinde said.

“A few days ago, I spoke to the Osun governor, Gboyega Oyetola, the plan to split was signed between Akala and Oyinlola but we don’t know why it wasn’t implemented. Oyo State will have to pay the salary of LAUTECH (Osun’s share) because I don’t want the students to suffer.

“If we have to split up, then so be it, I won’t shy away from this divorce. LAUTECH is very important to Ogbomoso.”

On corruption, Makinde said his administration will ensure that money budgeted for projects are well accounted for.

According to him, he met a situation where projects got only 10% of the total funds for execution.

“Because as we were told, 50% goes back to the Governor, 30% to the appointee who allocated the project out of which 10% goes to the Governor’s wife. I have told them anyone who does that now will be brought to book,” he said.

“This is a very serious problem. That is why the second bill we sent to the House of Assembly was the Oyo State Financial Crimes Commission Bill and once they pass it, I will sign it and we will all operate under it.

“Good governance transcends politics, any contractor that has been paid for any project will have to finish the work so that we can have value for people of Oyo State. Like the silo project, despite spending N1 billion, I was not impressed with what I saw.

“Good governance is beyond razzmatazz. I rejected a proposal to paint the secretariat. It may look good to outsiders but internally, the furniture is bad, the toilets are bad and e-governance is an issue. I would rather do a proper job.”

He promised to carry the people along with developments by giving quarterly updates on the progress made by his administration.