The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has described the N3.69 billion Chief Reuben Fasoranti Park project by the state government as misplaced and insensitive to the economic plight of the people.

The PDP state chairman, Modupe Aisida, made the views known in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Akure.

The state government had, in April 2025, approved N3.69 billion for the upgrade and vertical enhancement of the park, located directly opposite the governor’s office complex, Alagbaka, Akure.

Mr Aisida argued that there were many pressing issues that should be the government’s focus, rather than a park that would gulp up one per cent of the state’s total capital expenditure in the 2026 budget.

“They said that the Chief Reuben Fasoranti Park project opposite the governor’s office is being done at the cost of N3.69 billion. That means that one per cent of the capital expenditure of the 2026 budget of the state with a population of six million, is being spent on a park in front of the governor’s office.

“And if you want to build a park, should it be opposite the government secretariat, where they are doing serious work, a powerhouse of government?

“Park should be a place of relaxation where people think they can be on their own. It’s really laughable.

“This is a state where you have countless dilapidated school buildings; there are some health centres where you go and cry for the state. So, we need this money for serious things and not for a park,” he stated.

He decried the neglect of critical projects by the state government, saying that life-changing projects should have been the focus of the Governor Aiyedatiwa-led administration, not “a mere relaxation centre.”

“We have a housing deficit in the state, except we want to deceive ourselves; that is why many companies are running around.

“They want to create estates because the government is not being proactive. The government used to do this in the past.

“What the state government is busy doing is chasing away civil servants living in Alagbaka and talking about building houses for political office holders.

“I won’t criticise the government because I am the chairman of the opposition party. For me as a person, if I want to rate the state governor, it’s a straight F.

“I will always be objective in analysing issues, and I will say which areas Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has done much in, but I’m trying to find the area, and I’m yet to really pick it out,” he said.

According to him, it’s disappointing that the Shagari Estate flyover project is yet to be completed after over two years.

When the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, was contacted by phone, someone who answered said he was unavailable.

(NAN)