‘Flyover without proper implementation of minimum wage a misplaced priority’ – YPP fires Gov AbdulRazaq

…cautions governor against repeating past mistakes

…calls for expansion, rehabilitation of linking roads to end gridlock, enhance economic opportunities

The Young Progressives Party in Kwara State has flayed the Kwara State Government over the proposed construction of a flyover at University road Ilorin in Tanke, describing the project as impetuous and obscure for a state that is unable to implement a proper minimum wage salary structure for the civil servants and local government workers.

The opposition party in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Barr. Titilope Anifowoshe on Monday, pointed out that the proposed flyover is a money swindling project for a state where more than 60% of its infrastructure is in a dilapidated state.

The party added that the governor is repeating the mistakes of the past administrations.

The statement read, “While we agreed that there is a need to address the incessant gridlocked on the road, proactiveness, prudence, sustainability and innovation must always prevail over any decision that affects the lives of Kwarans and this proposed flyover of the government falls short of any of these factors.

“If the Kwara State Governor and the State Assembly did not practice their usual scurry style of lack of due process, they would have noted through proper cost-benefit analysis that they will be saving and doing more with proper transport planning and strategy. Why is the government planning emergency alternative route(s) when a proper opening of these alternative routes can permanently fix the problem of gridlock of the route? Why waste resources on flyover when the government can actually have an expansion of the existing road coupled with smart parking space, traffic management and traffic rules enforcement which is cheaper.

“Is the Government unaware that University road can be linked to Offa Garage, Agbabiaka- Danialu, judges’ quarters and fate road?  If these routes are opened, it will not only reduce the gridlock but also enhance prosperity and economic opportunities for the people and the government. Why is Governor Abdulrahman more interested in erecting an edifice and not giving good people of Kwara permanent solution to the problem?

“Flyover project is a white elephant project for a state that is unable to implement proper minimum wage salary structure for the civil servants and local government workers. The project is a money swindling project for a state where more than 60% of its infrastructure is in a dilapidated state. It’s simply a repetition of the mistakes of the past administrations.”

The party, imploring the government to be transparent, advocated that it employ the Pareto optimality principle to solve the problem.