Femi Makinde, Osogbo
A former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has claimed that the United Nations Educational and Scientific Cultural Organisation gave the Osun State Government over 70 per cent of the amount spent to reconstruct the Olaiya-Ita Olokan Road which leads to the Osun Groove.
Omisore said this in a statement issued on his behalf by his media aide, Mr. Jide Fakorede, in Osogbo on Wednesday.
The UNESCO Osun Groove became a world heritage site when Oyinlola was the governor of the state.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who inaugurated the 2.8 kilometre road on Tuesday, said the state got the money to construct the road leading to the Osun Groove from the Omoluabi Infrastructure Conservation Fund with the approval of the state House of Assembly.
But Omisore in the statement said, “It is an open secret and matter in the domain of the public that the Osun State Government had assessed counterpart funds from UNESCO, which is in excess of over 70 per cent following the designation of the Osun Osogbo Groove by the world body as one of the World Heritage sites for local and international tourists.
“This is not new and practical efforts, which climaxed in the attraction of such funds to Osun, began during the regime of the Peoples Democratic Party. But, it is a statement of fact that Aregbesola received counterpart funds from UNESCO.
“While we would not assist Aregbesola and his government to disclose the actual amount received on the road project from the reputable international organisation, for the purpose of creating unhindered access for all categories of tourists which he himself admitted publicly a few years back, we leave him to ruminate over these sacred facts as a public figure in his innermost mind. Conscience is an open wound.
“The PDP government out of its sincere commitment to boost tourism potential and enhance effective economic growth of the state made the Osun Osogbo Groove a world heritage site so as to attract UNESCO funding assistance. The Commissioner for Information in Osun State, Mr. Adelani Baderinwa, when contacted on the telephone told our correspondent that it was unfortunate that Omisore had not stop being mischievous.
He said, “We did not construct the road leading to Osun Groove, the road we reconstructed is the one leading to the road to the groove.
“Otunba Omisore is being mischievous because the governor said he got the money to reconstruct the road from the Omoluabi Infrastructure Conservation Fund at the beginning of the contract and he even said it at the inauguration so why is he unrelenting in dishing out lies?”
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source http://punchng.com/unesco-paid-70-of-osun-groove-road-contract-money-omisore/
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