By Bunmi Ajayi

Ondo State's All progressive Congress (APC) has raised issues with the governor over the residence card, otherwise known as "Kadi Igbeayo", it is a means of exploiting the civil servants, the party says.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko is said to be exploiting civil servants and poor Ondo State residents by collecting N2,000 for the card.

However, the state's information commissioner, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said the scheme was initiated to advance the state.

“The advantages of the card include the facilitation of efficient record keeping. It aids anti-corruption in the public service to enhance a higher level of qualitative and quantitative service delivery.

“It will also facilitate the systematic development of a database for efficient security and surveillance purpose as well as facilitate the use and management of government facilities such as public transportation, among others,” he said in a statement.

The APC would have none of that as its Publicity Secretary Abayomi Adesanya, in a statement, claimed that over N5 billion had been spent on the scheme without corresponding benefits to the people.

“This card is a duplication of effort and a waste of resources as the card carries almost the same information as the national identity card and the driving licence.

“The governor should know that what the people of Ondo State desire are better life, good road network, job opportunities for the youth, revamping of our moribund industries, accountability, urbanisation of our towns and villages, provision of potable water, affordable and accessible health care services, prompt payment of salaries and entitlements of workers and pensioners.

“Governor Mimiko and his team should realise that in countries where residency cards are operational, it is the benefit attached to the card that really matters, not the card itself,” Adesanya said.