The Osun State House of Assembly Quarters have been deserted by lawmakers as the ongoing renovation on the buildings remain uncompleted two years after its commencement.
According to information gathered by OSUN DEFENDER, the renovation work commenced in 2023, shortly after the resumption of the 8th Assembly, and was halted in 2024.
The medium visited the project site on Wednesday and observed that the place has been deserted with no activities in sight and security workers manning the entrance of the quarters. Also, there was no signpost indicating details of the contractor handling the work.
OSUN DEFENDER learnt that a majority of the assembly members have relocated to a nearby Estate, while some come to the office from their constituencies. It was also gathered that burglars have been finding their way into the premises of the quarters in an attempt to steal government properties.
A staff of the house of assembly who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under the condition of anonymity expressed disappointment over the delay in the renovation work.
According to him, the contractor handling the project is anonymous to some of them.
He said: “It is worrisome that the renovation work remained uncompleted till date. It started around 2023 with the hope that work will be completed in earnest. It would have been better if they had been no attempt for renovation. There have been attempt by some individuals to trespass and steal from the premises since it has been left unoccupied. I don’t think this work will eventually see the light of the day under the current assembly.”
The chairman, House Committee on Public Works for the 8th Assembly, Hon. Abiola Inaolaji, is yet to respond to the enquiry made by OSUN DEFENDER as at the time of filing this report.
However, findings by the medium revealed that the project is under the supervision of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.
Reacting to the delay, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Bashir Bello attributed it to paucity of fund in a terse message sent to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday.
He said: “We are the consultant. I think the major problem is funding. We are working on it”