Oyo State Government has announced that the two Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft procured to strengthen the state’s security architecture will arrive before the end of July, following delays in their assembly by the Chinese manufacturers.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday after the State Executive Council meeting.
According to Oyelade, the government had expected to take delivery of the aircraft much earlier, but the assembly of their components by the manufacturers took longer than anticipated.
He recalled that shortly after the Oriire abduction incident two months ago, the government announced that the aircraft had arrived at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Ikeja, Lagos, where assembly commenced.
Briefing the Executive Council, Governor Seyi Makinde reportedly said he would have preferred the aircraft to be operational during the rescue operation for the Oriire abductees. However, he noted that the final decision on deployment was based on the professional and technical advice of the Chinese manufacturers.
The Council, according to the Commissioner, agreed that adherence to safety and technical standards was more important than yielding to public pressure.
The two Diamond DA42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft were procured at a total cost of ₦7.763 billion. They are expected to enhance aerial surveillance and strengthen security operations along Oyo State’s borders with Kwara State and the Republic of Benin.
Beyond security, the Executive Council approved several major projects aimed at boosting agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, industrialisation and sports development across the state.
As part of efforts to stimulate agro-industrial development, the Council approved an interest-free intervention loan of ₦3 billion for an indigenous cassava processing factory in Ado-Awaye. The investment is expected to benefit more than 25,000 farmers, create employment opportunities and reinforce Oyo State’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading cassava-producing states.
The Council also approved an additional ₦2.462 billion equity investment in Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited, Iseyin, following an earlier equity contribution of ₦850 million towards completing and revitalising the sugar processing factory.
In the infrastructure sector, the government approved the construction of the 4-kilometre Idi-Igba/Akinmorin Road in Ilora at a cost of ₦2.901 billion, citing its anticipated socio-economic benefits to residents and businesses.
To support the ongoing upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, the Executive Council approved an additional ₦26.768 billion for revised engineering works. The approval covers the construction of a 140-metre strip, runway safety area, blast pad, additional pipe covers and other ancillary facilities required to meet aviation standards.
The Council further approved the implementation of a €55 million French-backed healthcare initiative guaranteed by the Federal Government. The programme will finance the construction and equipping of modular hospitals, including a Cardiac Centre, emergency and maternity centres, operating theatres and intensive care units.
The healthcare intervention will also provide 39 ambulances, 10 dental centres and upgrade 200 Primary Healthcare Centres. Emergency and maternity facilities will equally be established in hospitals across Igboora, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Moniya, Kishi, Iseyin, Okeho and Eruwa.
In the sports sector, the Executive Council approved an initial take-off grant of ₦200 million for Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) to support the club’s campaign for continental success after a 27-year absence from Africa’s club competitions.
The approvals, according to the government, reflect its commitment to strengthening security, expanding access to quality healthcare, accelerating infrastructure development and promoting agro-industrial growth across Oyo State.