OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, GOV. SEYI MAKINDE ON KISI – IGBOPE ROAD // HON SURV. BUSARI OLAKUNLE IBRAHIM (SAKI)

OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY, GOV. SEYI MAKINDE ON KISI – IGBOPE ROAD // HON SURV. BUSARI OLAKUNLE IBRAHIM (SAKI)

Good day, Your Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde,

I read an article on an online publisher westernmirror.com.ng, where you were quoted that you will try and complete all the existing

project and no new contract would be signed as from September 2025.

I want to believe the report has

quoted you out of context. 

In other words, I hope the Westernmirror is wrong. If not, the hope of millions of people living in Oke-Ogun, the Northern part of the state, would be dashed. I want to pray that we never stop hoping for Government intervention, especially when there is a state of emergency. 

Therefore, the gap between September 2025 and May 2027 is a lot of time without government intervention. 

When the lofty initiative of local government autonomy came, many of us in the state hope it was the best for Nigeria in general and Oyo state in particular. Our popular belief was that your lieutenants in the local Government were going to complement whatever the state government could not see or deemed minor to handle. 

For example, in Saki where I came from, most of our internal roads are in bad shape. While some roads are battling with erosion, some government institutions such as hospitals, schools and other state-owned facilities are begging for attention. 

The bad news is that such bad roads, dilapidated school buildings abandoned hospital facilities, etc. are general challenges in all the 10 Local Governments of Oke-Ogun.  

However, Kisi town is the main reason I am writing you this open letter. Kisi is the home town of your deputy and it is the headquarters of Irepo Local Government Area.  Kisi is a major town in Okeogun, Oyo State that is full of different activities such as farming, commerce, educational and social activities. 

Now, to say that all the roads that lead to Kisi are in bad shape is an understatement. Two out of the three roads from Oyo state axis are federal road - Igbeti to Kisi and Igboho to Kisi. The third road is a 34km from Igbope to Kisi is a state government road. 

But, all these roads could have been rehabilitated if the Local Governments are functioning the way they should. 

Back to Kisi axis, the only manageable road to Kisi is the longer route from Igbeti to Kisi, which passes through the Old National Game Reserve that is under-managed.

With all the above and some other factors that I will soon mention, I like to appeal to your Excellency to reconsider your position on award of contracts and put kisi-igboho road under your priority projects. 

Some other factors that I like you to consider are:

1. Oyo State had had legacy projects at one time or the other.

2. Government is a continuum. Wherever your administration stops, the next would continue.

3. It is right to dividends of democracy that your administration has stood for since inception. 

4. There is a state of emergency in Igboho-Kisi road now as the bridge has been washed away by flood to cut off the two communities thereby making over 2 million population of people living and working within Kisi and its environ in disarray.

5. Kisi has boundary with Kayomo, Kwara state and the two communities are responsible for 70 percent of soybeans production that is been supplied to the industries in Oyo state. Furthermore, Kisi is the place of yam production for consumption and export. There is a big International Yam Market in Kisi supplying many cities of Nigeria and for export. The shortest road for business and commercial purposes is Kisi-Igboho-Ibadan. The other road from Kisi to Ogbomoso, Oyo and Ibadan is longer and very bad.  Therefore, for economic reason, it becomes very necessary to fix urgently fix Kisi-Igboho road, or else, before we know it, transportation cost for farm produce like yam, yam flower, soya beans and other ones will increase. I'm sure your Excellency would not want to add to the already hardship that your people are experiencing. 

6. There are cases of insecurities along around the Old Oyo National park, due to the cow gracing route passing through the national park. There are cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and other social vices between kisi-Igbeti-Igboho. The travelers are the mercy of God with both conventional and local security outfits such as the army, civil defense, Police, Amotekun and local hunters. Security risk would be minimal and the business activities would be easy for the citizens if the roads are fixed.

The final point I like to stress for your Excellency's consideration to fix Kisi-Igboho road is your relationship with the Deputy Governor, H.E Barr. Bayo Lawal who has been very committed and loyal to your government as you have been enjoying good working relationship with him since he joined you in the administration of Oyo State. 

Sir, if the road leading to his home town is not fixed by this government, loyalty would never amount to anything again and his people will no longer respect him. So, he deserves to be honored.  

Kisi town has a lot of party faithful who worked for your success in the last election and fixing their road will encourage them to work for your party in the future. 

I pray that the remaining years of your administration will be used to leave a good legacy behind. Legacy is not what you leave for people, it is what you leave in people. 

Yours sincerely.

*Hon. Surv. Busari Olakunle Ibrahim*, Ile-Akabiako, Asunnara Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria. 

August 6, 2025.