…Differ On Minimum Wage
Sam Philip
As part of efforts of the media to ensure good governance, All Progressives Congress candidate, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate for the November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi were on Sunday night brought to the platform by Channels TV to debated on their plans for the people of the state.
During the debate the two candidates squared each other over different issues including security, local government autonomy, economy and how they plan to improve the socio-economic situations in the state if elected governor of the state.
The anchor of the programme requested the duo to explain how they plan to revive the agricultural produce the state is known for, particularly cocoa, Palm oil and rubber, to tackle food insecurity in the state.
In his answer, Governor Aiyedatiwa said: “There are industries in Ondo State, among which is the linyin industry, where they convert cassava to ethanol and make textile materials.
We also have industry that turn cocoa to chocolate. And they are being exported.
“We have a lot of investors that have shown interest to invest in agriculture in the state. They are interested in the state because of the peace existing in the state.
“There are businesses that the government does not get involved in but to provide the enabling environment. Investors are ready to invest in Ifon ceramic. We are clearing land to boost farming, particularly cocoa.”
The PDP candidate, Agboola Ajayi said: Ajayi explained how he would revive the agreement sector of the state, saying: “The poor people in Ondo State are more in numbers. What we rely on in Ondo is the collection of salary. The cocoa industry of the state has not positively impacted the economy of the state.
“No single palm oil factory in Ondo State. When I become governor, I will established Sunshine Glass factory to replace the defunct Oluwa Glass.
“We will also invest in our local airport, which is a cargo airport, to boost agriculture and food security for the state. There is no single tractor in the state, so the government is not prepared to invest in agriculture.
“There no single development in Ilaje communities and the governor is from the area. When I am governor of Ondo, in one or two years, I will initiate policies that will drive the cocoa industry in the state.”
The two candidates spoke on how to improve on security of lives and property if they get the people’s mandate on November 16.
In his explanation, Governor Aiyedatiwa promised that he would create a separate unit in the State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps which would be stationed permanently in the forests at the borders of the state to checkmate kidnapping amd other crimes prevalent at border zones in the state.
He said: “Amotekun can trace crime to its root cause and the corps is ready to transform into a state police.”
When the PDP candidate alleged that the governor was collecting N1.2billion as security vote per month, the governor denied it, but refused to disclose the exact amount of money he collects as security vote, saying it’s a security issue which should not be made public
When the governor denied the allegation, Agboola Ajayi challenged him to disclose what he collects as security vote because it is the state fund.
Aiyedatiwa said: “There nothing like N1.2 billion security vote. It a lie from the pit of hell. Security vote is a Security issue and I can’t reveal it.”
Debating on the local government autonomy, Agboola Ajayi de Laredo that he would scrap Ministry of Local Government if elected, describing the ministry as a criminal usurpation of power by the state government.
He explained that having served as a councillor and chairman of his local government, he described the third tier of government as the closest to the people which understand the needs of the people better.
“As governor, I’ll cancel the Ministry of Local because it is criminal not to allow local governments run their affair,” Agboola Ajayi said.
While debating on the new minimum wage, the PDP candidate said civil servants in the state deserved more than the N73,000 announced by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
He, therefore, promised to pay N76,000 to the workers if he emerged victorious at the poll.
“Ondo State workers will be happier when I pay N76,000. I know how administration works better than Aiyedatiwa. I have been a local government chairman, member of the House of Representatives, Deputy Governor, and Acting Governor.”
But Governor Aiyedatiwa countered, saying the state could not afford N76,000 as minimum wage for workers.
He said Ajayi lacked the understanding of governance.