Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, says infrastructural development is not just a panacea to Nigeria’s security challenges but also a potent key to addressing poverty and other under-development issues.
Adeleke was quoted to have said this at the 2023 annual lecture of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), according to a statement on Sunday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
Adeleke said his administration is committed and passionate about poverty alleviation and the state’s overall growth through localised and grassroots-oriented infrastructure.
The Governor said: “Any government that is serious about positive upliftment of the citizenry must focus on infrastructural growth. It is not an optional choice for elected or appointed leaders.
“It is the fastest route to tackle poverty, address under-development and securing the state in a seamless multimodal connectivity, closing the urban-rural gap, opening business opportunities and empowering the citizenry as productive economic operators.”
He added, “I may not quote any authority, but my experience supports my assertion that infrastructure deficit is mostly synonymous with poverty – endemic society. In fact, the difference between a developed and developing society is the level of infrastructure development.”
He argued that any leader genuinely interested in lifting people out of poverty “must, therefore, prioritise development of transport, communication and allied facilities.”
The Governor said infrastructure development is the livewire of societal transformation, calling for “close synergy between the political leadership and sectoral professional groups.”
He also expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with NSE in the drive to develop Osun, while urging it and other professional groups to accept his offer to partner in the state’s building and development. (NAN)
It is the fastest route to tackle poverty, address under-development and securing the state in a seamless multimodal connectivity, closing the urban-rural gap, opening business opportunities and empowering the citizenry as productive economic operators.
