Oyo State Government, on Friday, justified the proposed spending of N63.4 billion to overhaul the over 70-year-old Government House.
This was made known in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital.
He lamented that the section of the media that touted the impression that the Government House was going to be renovated is either ignorant or mischievous.
Oyelade said, “The present administration has over 200 ongoing projects, including the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, the 110KM Circular Road, LAUTECH, Iseyin campus, Fashola Agro-industrial hub and several other infrastructural development projects across the seven zones of the state and the Government House overhauling and reconstruction is one of them.
“The Seyi Makinde administration is the least that can be accused of not getting its priorities right and for six years, the government has nurtured the finance of the state efficiently, such that the Internally Generated Revenue has increased by over 300% within this period from about N1.5 billion to N7.8 billion as at the end of May 2025.
“The administration has also vigorously pursued the welfare of its workers such that it would pay over N174 billion annually in salaries and wages at N14.5 billion monthly, to the largest State workforce in Nigeria.”
He explained that an administration that has employed over 27,000 workers, spent a record N13 billion on gratuities and pension for the aged, subsidises the transportation fare of over 42,000 commuters every day till date and promoted 45 permanent secretaries in one fell swoop, cannot be accused of profligacy.
Speaking on the reconstruction and overhauling of the Government House, the commissioner said 21 structures would be affected.
“The decrepit presidential lodge and the banquet hall, which will be ready for the state’s 50th anniversary celebration next year February, will be totally reconstructed while the Governor and the Deputy Governor’s main residences will be overhauled and structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical works will be comprehensively carried out.
“Also affected are several quarters and chalets for visitors, senior and junior staff, whose duties would necessitate dwelling in the Government House.
“The mosque, church, external botanical garden, roadworks, landscaping, fencing and furniture are also affected in the reconstruction.
“It is instructive that the new building will also accommodate a helipad to allow VIP visitors including the presidency, fellow Governors, important dignitaries and the host Governor himself to commute seamlessly to and from their destinations in helicopters.”
“In arriving at this decision, the governor had factored-in, the pride of the state, a befitting official residence for the number one and two citizens of the state and a legacy of a beautiful ambience for a place that once had the likes of Sir. John Rankin, Sir. Adesoji Aderemi and others as tenants.”
The commissioner then described as laughable and kindergarten the suggestion by a potential gubernatorial candidate in 2027 that the people of the state would be better served by distributing N3 million of the N63.4 billion to 20,000 citizens.