Oyo Assembly Moves To Take Over LAUTECH

The Oyo State House of Assembly has summoned
the state Ministry of Justice and its education
counterpart to appear on September 27 over
ownership status of Ladoke Akintola University of
Technology, Ogbomoso.
The summon followed a motion by Mrs Olawunmi
Oladeji (Ogbomoso North/LP) and co-sponsored
by nine other lawmakers at the plenary session on
Thursday.
The motion was entitled: “Reviewing the Joint
Ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of
Technology: A Step toward Sole Ownership by Oyo
State Government.”
Oladeji said the move would address the critical
issues and crisis bedevilling the institution after
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, co-owner,
failed to fulfil his state’s financial responsibility to
the institution.
She said, “Osun State Government has defaulted,
particularly in the payment of salaries of the
institution’s members of staff for about 15
months.
“This has made it difficult for the smooth-running
of LAUTECH.”
She said that such action has threatened the joint
ownership of the institution.
She said, “The Internally Generated Revenue of the
institution, which is meant for the payment of
gratuity, pension of retirees, as well as other
developmental projects within the university, has
been depleted.
“This is due to the fact that the money is being
used for the payment of workers’ salaries.
“This calls for the total hand-off of Osun
Government from running of the university, and
allows the Oyo State Government to take charge of
sole and full ownership.”
In his contribution, Adesina (Ibadan South-East I/
Accord), said that there was need to resolve the
issue of joint ownership of LAUTECH since Osun
has established its university and no longer ready
to fund LAUTECH.
The Chairman, House Committee on
Parliamentary Matters, Mr Olusegun Ajanaku
(Ibadan South-West II/APC), said that the issue of
LAUTECH was a national matter.
He said it was an issue that requires more work
between the two parties involved.
The lawmaker urged people of Ogbomoso to be
patient and allow amicable resolution of the issue
between the two parties.
The cosponsors include, the Deputy Speaker, Mr
Musah Abdulwasi (Saki West/APC); the majority
leader, Mr Kehinde Subair (Ibadan South-West I/
APC); Mr Peter Oyetunji (Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa/LP);
Mr Akeem Oladipo (Ibadan North West/APC) and
Mr Jimoh Akintunde (Ibarapa North & Central/
APC).
Other are, Mr Afeez Adeleke (Iseyin/Itesiwaju/
APC), Mr Fatai Adesina, Ibadan South East I/
Accord) and Mr Lukman Balogun (Oorelope/LP).
(NAN)