Posted by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has pushed for a robust maintenance culture throughout public institutions and the end of the Nigerian way of managing public buildings.
Governor Adeleke lamented the typical neglect of public buildings after commissioning them in a speech during the commissioning of two distinct projects at the Osun State University, UNIOSUN, on Friday.
The governor bemoaned the way that such actions resulted in a waste of tax dollars that had to be made up by developing new public facilities.
He said that it was past time for the country to do rid of the derogatory term “Nigerian culture,” which, in his opinion, actually referred to the abuse, abandonment, and waste of public structures as a result of poor upkeep.
“The nation will save a lot of resources if bureaucrats and public managers can consciously introduce and enforce protocols on public building management,” the governor suggested.
The Governor declared that coming forward, Osun State’s maintenance culture enforcement will be a top focus.
“With appreciation for the administration of the University, we are launching these historic projects today. I want the university administration to follow strict maintenance procedures. The upkeep of public buildings is not very expensive.
“If we can maintain the condition of our public buildings and infrastructure, we will save a lot of money.
“We have witnessed a number of magnificent public structures decay due to poor maintenance. The Governor commanded that this should not occur to the structures we are commissioning today.
Additionally, Governor Adeleke gave his approval for the connection road to the Folorunsho Alakija Teaching Hospital to be built.
The contracted project includes the completion of the abandoned 57 office complex of the College of Health Sciences at Isale-Osun, Osogbo, as well as a dormitory with 320 beds that is funded by university internal revenue.
Governor Adeleke praised the Vice Chancellor and his management team for their work while stating that the commissioning ceremony was important for his administration for two reasons: first, money was released to finish a project that had been abandoned before, and second, permission was given to start a new project at the university.
“Osun State University is an example for Nigeria’s public universities. I am excited to witness the university’s continued success. The Governor advised the university administration, “You have my support to keep the flag flying, maintain the standard, and ensure world-class academic procedures.
The Governor was briefed about the two projects as well as the ongoing multi-billion naira Teaching Hospital that was donated by the university’s chancellor, Dr. Folorunso Alakija, earlier at the Commissioning by the vice chancellor of the Osun State University, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adeboye.
Prof. Adeboye claimed that the College of Health Sciences’ finished projects had been neglected since 2009 and praised the State Governor for approving and allocating monies for the projects’ completion.
“This infrastructure support represents the State Government’s first contribution to the University since 2011.”
“Since taking office in November of last year, His Excellency has provided the University with enormous support, and we are forever grateful for that. The Vice Chancellor remarked that the Governor is being honored at this commissioning by both the university administration and the staff unions.