Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde has declared his state technically bankrupt and not credit worthy.
He said: “when I came in, we were looking for ways to keep the government running because technically the government of Oyo state is bankrupt. If I take it as a private entity, I won’t lend a dime to the government of Oyo state. I will ask them to start winding up proceedings. So, we have been looking for ways to keep the government running. We have been beaming our searchlight on areas we can get money.
The governor spoke today, July 2 when the governing council and management of the University of Ibadan, led by its pro-chancellor, Waklek Mutka, visited him at governor’s office, Ibadan.
This is coming days after the governor had alleged that the immediate past administration led Governor Abiola Ajimobi left a debt burden of at least N150 billion, while the books were still being opened.
Governor Makinde accused federal institutions in the state, like the University of Ibadan, of not contributing enough to the government through its Pay As You Earn (PAYE).
“The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) came to me and said they had issue of PAYE with the University of Ibadan. And at the governor’s forum, I saw a document where a lot of the states got a huge refund from PAYE due to the federal institutions located in such states.
“I believe Ogun state got about N8billion; another state in the South West got N10 billion, and Oyo state got only about N91million. Then, I wondered what was going on here. They told me that it was work in progress and that they had been talking and did not have cooperation from the University of Ibadan.
“I can give you the assurance that this is something for the federal government to refund to us. All we need to do is open the books and see what has gone on and have an agreement. I told the Chairman of BIR that he and myself will come and meet with the University of Ibadan to get money. We will utilize such money immediately to do things that will lift our environment.”
The governor bemoaned the parlous state of Agbowo shopping complex, Ibadan, describing it as an eyesore and a security threat to the University.
He however assured that the state government will make public its plan to revamp the structure for productivity within 100 days in office.
Governor Makinde also assured of collaboration with the university in areas of research and public-private partnership.
“The Agbowo shopping complex in front of the university is an eyesore. It is a lot of money that was sunk in there and we are not getting any value. As a matter of fact, that structure is a security threat to the university community.
“We are looking at it and I am sure before we mark our 100 days, there will be a pronouncement on how we intend to turn that shopping complex into something that brings benefit to the university community and residents of the state in general,” Makinde added.
In his remarks, pro-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Waklek Mutka assured of continued collaboration with the state government in areas of research.
He appreciated Governor Makinde’s recent donation of N25million to the university, even as he said that the university needed more federal and state government support if the university is to sufficiently meet its obligations.
