Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said on Tuesday that his administration is ready to partner with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and in a hurry to develop Oyo State so as to achieve a turnaround of its economy within a short time.

The Governor, in a Press Release which was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa and made available to CEOAFRICA stated that the state was ready to partner with the private sector for accelerated development of the state.

Governor Makinde made the declarations while receiving the management of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, which paid a courtesy visit to his office on Tuesday.

According to the governor, Oyo state under his watch would readily partner with key players in different sectors to achieve its objective of economic expansion and social welfare for the people.

Speaking in his office, Makinde said, “We are here, we are open for business and we are so much in a hurry to develop Oyo. During our campaign, I had a policy document entitled Roadmap for the Accelerated Development of Oyo State, in which we mapped out of objectives and courses of action for developing the state. What others are doing in eight years, we want to do in four years. Most of the things that take others months, our administration want do it in weeks for the good of Oyo State people”.

The Governor stated that Oyo State had many projects that will target the economy and result into the overall expansion of the economy of the state such as the Free Trade Zone on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Dry Port and his administration’s determination to improve the Ibadan Airport, noting that with these projects, there would be opportunities for housing estates.

“The state was willing and able to partner with the Bank, saying that “I don’t know, for now, why Oyo State stopped its contribution to the National Housing Fund. But we will investigate why Oyo State stopped contributions into the programme and if there are challenges, we will engage the Bank to resolve it” Governor Makinde said.

“The programme is desirable and it is in consonance with our plan to take care of Oyo State worker’s welfare and having access to affordable houses is one the things we desire for the workers;

“In view of this, we will definitely come to you once we get the reason for the stoppage of the contributions to the programme” he said.

Governor Makinde further stated, “You asked for land, we don’t have oil in Oyo State, we have lands. But we guard our lands jealously. But the Executive Assistant on Investments, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi will work with the Commissioner for Lands, and they will engage with you;

“Those in charge of the investments in the State will engage with the representatives of the Bank as the State is opening for business”.

Earlier, in his statement, the General Manager, Treasury Services and Capital Market of the Federal Mortgage Bank, Mr. Kabir Adeniyi Yagboyaju, who represented the Managing Director/CEO, Ahmed Dangiwa, said the purpose of the visit was to congratulate Governor Makinde on his victory as Governor of Oyo State and to acquaint the government with the programmes of the Bank.

He appreciated the Governor for giving the Bank audience, noting that the Bank believed that Governor Makinde’s 100 days in office have heralded significant successes, saying that the Bank believed that the Governor has made remarkable successes in the last 100 days on the payment of salaries and pensions arrears, cancellation of tuition, lighting up Ibadan project, among others.

He noted that Oyo state had not been contributing into National Housing Fund scheme, calling on it to take a lead role in contributing to the scheme as the pace-setter state in the country.

Yagboyaju explained that the participation of the state in the NHF scheme would be of great benefit, as he noted that the FMBN is the first foremost mortgage institution responsible for driving home ownership among Nigeria workers, particularly in the low and medium sector.

“I wish to assure Your Excellency of the support of the FMBN towards the achievement of your administration’s goals and objectives for the development of Oyo State, especially in the provision of affordable housing for the citizens,” Yagboyaju said.

The Bank, therefore, prayed for the immediate resumption of the state and local government workers to the NHF Scheme, provision of land with titles for the Bank to execute the National Housing Delivery Programme for Nigerian workers and an offer of partnership with the government on affordable housing delivery.

The courtesy visit had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun; the Head of Service, Mrs Amidat Agboola; the Executive Assistant on Investments, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi as well as top management staff of the Bank.