Makinde approves major projects as Oyo awaits ₦7.76bn surveillance aircraft

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State Government has announced that the two Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft procured to strengthen security operations across the state will arrive before the end of July after delays in their assembly by Chinese manufacturers.

The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, following Thursday’s State Executive Council meeting. Oyelade said the government had expected the aircraft to arrive much earlier, but the assembly process took longer than anticipated. He recalled that shortly after the Oriire abduction incident two months ago, the state announced that the aircraft had reached the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Ikeja, Lagos, where they were undergoing final assembly.

Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde told members of the Executive Council that he had hoped the aircraft would have been available during the rescue operation for the abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire. However, he said the government relied on the technical advice of the Chinese manufacturers, adding that the council agreed safety and quality standards should not be compromised.

The two DA 42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft were procured at a cost of ₦7.763 billion. According to the government, they will enhance intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance, particularly along Oyo State’s borders with Kwara State and the Republic of Benin, where security monitoring has been intensified.

Beyond security, the Executive Council approved an interest-free intervention loan of ₦3 billion for an indigenous cassava processing factory in Ado-Awaye. It also approved an additional ₦2.462 billion equity investment in Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited in Iseyin, following an earlier ₦850 million contribution. The government said the investments would boost agriculture, create jobs and benefit more than 25,000 cassava farmers.

Additionally, the council approved the construction of the four-kilometre Idi-Igba–Akinmorin Road in Ilora at a cost of ₦2.901 billion. It also approved an additional ₦26.768 billion for ongoing engineering works at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, including a runway safety area, blast pad, extended strip and other supporting facilities.

The council also approved the implementation of a €55 million French-backed healthcare initiative guaranteed by the Federal Government. The programme will finance the construction and equipping of modular hospitals, including a cardiac centre, emergency and maternity centres, operating theatres, intensive care units, 39 ambulances, 10 dental centres and 200 primary healthcare centres across the state.

Similarly, the council approved an initial take-off grant of ₦200 million for Shooting Stars Sports Club to support the Ibadan-based club’s campaign in continental competitions. The government said the approvals demonstrate its commitment to improving security, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and sports development across Oyo State.