An appeal has gone to Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to review the 50 years concession agreement signed in connection with the Agbowo Shopping Complex.
A prominent Ibadan-based lawyer and a gubernatorial aspirant in last general election under All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Niyi Akintola (SAN), gave the charge during the Independent Day anniversary lecture organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Oyo State chapter recently.
Akintola lauded the courage and initiative of Governor Makinde to give the edifice a new face-lift after it has been neglected for over 20 years of civilian rule.
Akintola, who is the Baa-Mofin of Ibadanland expressed his disappointment especially by the immediate past administration’s failure to do anything meaningful despite signing a memorandum of understanding for the renovation of the complex to the tune of N8 billion.
While advising the governor to critically look, with the aim of reviewing the years of concession, Akintola pointed out that 50 years is too long if the interest of the people and state is to be considered.
According to him, “Agbowo Shopping Complex has suffered many years of neglect by successive governments particularly under the civilian rule since it was constructed by the administration of Brigadier General, David Jemibewon in 1977.
“And for me, if I see the truth, I will say it no matter the opinion of others, whether they are in my party or a different one. Forget about party or politics. If someone has done something good, that person deserves to be commended and not otherwise.
“Agbowo Shopping Complex was constructed during the era of Brigadier General David Jemibewon in 1977, and several governments have come and gone, without doing anything. Governor Seyi Makinde has tried but it only remains to be seen if he can pull it through.
“Former Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi signed a memorandum of understanding with some people while he was in office but nothing concrete came out of it. So, Governor Makinde has tried, he should review the 50 years concession, with the aim of reducing it, that is my own opinion,” Barrister Akintola stated.
It will be recalled that the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde leased the popular Agbowo Shopping complex, Ibadan to Whitestone Global Limited for 50years.
The lease which will see the investor injecting N4.9billion is expected to convert the moribund structure into premium commercial real estate and a 4-star hotel.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
