Clear indications have emerged as to why the government of Oyo State turned down the conditions submitted to it by the sacked chairmen of 33 local governments and 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Sources close to the ongoing peace talks and out of court settlement plans, told the newspaper, that, the government’s negotiating team described ALGON’s position as “absolutist and unacceptable.”
Following the disagreement over the local governments in the state, the legal teams of the government and ALGON commenced negotiations to resolve the impasse.
But sources confirmed that the position by ALGON was completely unacceptable because it was indicative of a.complete surrender by the government.
For instance, the sacked chairmen allegedly presented terms of settlement which were not only impossible to meet by the government but also rigid and absolutist.
At the meeting, ALGON reportedly presented the following positions:
i.) That the mandate of all elected officers i.e. chairmen and vice chairmen, councillors is sacrosanct and non-negotiable.
ii.) The positions of secretary, chief of staff and chairperson are part of the office of the executive chairman and should therefore be non-negotiable
iii.) ALGON should also push for the retention of the officers on appointment such as supervisors special assistants.
But the state government’s counsel, Akin Onigbinde (SAN), was said to have told ALGON that the terms they gave were absolutist and unacceptable in negotiations, as they gave no room for negotiation.
The sources added that though the sacked chairmen’s camp was already divided, with a section of the chairmen willing to settle, a faction vowed to frustrate the process, as they are banking on the Federal Government to fight Oyo State government to a finish.
Meanwhile, Governor Makinde has stated that his administration is creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He made this known while on an inspection tour of a private farm, Agrited Nigeria Limited, Fiditi, Oyo, adding that efforts to turn Oyo State into an industrial destination are already in top gear.
According to him, the present administration will continue to assist investors with a view to expanding the state’s economy.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Taiwo Adisa, quoted the him as saying that his government places a premium on the promotion of agribusiness.
He said: “Government should not be running businesses and we are in the process of strategically turning over the businesses we have as a government to private people, in a most transparent manner, so that they can run it efficiently.
“This company is preparing to start operations and you can also see this is going to have a very huge impact as far as the economy of Oyo State is concerned. This is also because, as an administration, we promised that we were going to expand our economy, exploiting and exploring areas of comparative advantage; and agriculture is one of them.
“So, when I see this kind of project coming o fruition, I become excited. Jobs are being created; suppliers will soon be flocking into this place. And we have inquired from them the type of support they would need from government.”
The governor assured prospective investors in the state to put their minds to rest about the chances of their businesses succeeding in the state, adding that the state has put in place the right security architecture and systems that will guarantee ease of doing business.
Earlier, the Deputy General Manager, Operation, Moty Ganon, appreciated the governor for deeming it fit to visit the farm.
He assured that the company would partner with the state government to promote agriculture in the state, in order to expand Oyo’s economy.
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