The Governor of Osun, Ademola Adeleke, has promised to revive the abandoned project meant to upgrade nine technical colleges in the state, requesting the consultant to mobilize to the site for the completion of the project.
The Governor, who queried his predecessor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, for abandoning the project started by former governor Rauf Aregbesola, said colleges are needed more than ever before to address increasing joblessness in the country.
Adeleke said it was sheer insensitivity on Oyetola’s part to abandon the project, adding that government should be a continuum.
The Governor spoke on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the office of the General Manager of the Innovation Hub, Mr Meir Dagan, who is the consultant for the project.
A statement by the spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, quoted Adeleke as asking the Manager of the Innovation Hub to come to the state and revive the project.
The statement further quoted the governor as saying, “We cannot afford to abandon such a lofty project. We need technical colleges more than ever before to address the increasing joblessness in the country.
“Why would an elected Governor abandon projects inherited from Aregbesola and others? It is sheer insensitivity. Is government not a continuum? For me and my team, we are completing such projects even as we start our own. Let me declare here that technical colleges are back from now onward.
“Please send your team to Osun to revive the project. Much equipment that is locked up should not waste away. We need the technical colleges to be upgraded to meet the job needs of our teeming population.”
The statement further noted that Adeleke, who was taken round the training facilities and equipment, lamented that most equipment in use at the Hub has been locked up in Osun for several years, expressing shock that a government, for whatever reason, could abandon a critical project like the technical college upgrade.
The General Manager, Mr Dagan, while briefing Adeleke, according to the statement, said his firm is ready to resume the upgrade project as it would help job creation, entrepreneurship, self-employment, economic vibrancy, and wealth generation for the people of Osun state.
“We are ready to deploy to Osun state to complete the project. We really appreciate the commitment of Mr Governor to the revival of the project. Your visitation today is a confirmation of your great leadership in Osun state,” Mr. Dagan said.
