Alagbe Gbemileke Eleniyan, a philanthropist and politician, has called on the Oyo state Government to reconsider its plan to sell seemingly inactive state assets such as Trans Amusement Park and Agodi Gardens. The government had previously announced its intention to sell these assets to boost revenue.
Eleniyan criticized this approach, likening it to the prodigal child’s actions in the Bible. He argued that selling off these significant landmarks should not be the solution to the state’s revenue and IGR crisis. Instead, he proposed a private-public partnership (PPP) and a strategic policy framework to revitalize these tourist destinations and turn them into revenue-generating assets for the state.
According to Eleniyan, iconic sites like the Agbowo Shopping Complex and Trans Amusement Park have faced neglect under the current administration. He emphasized that these monuments have the potential to generate substantial revenue, estimating up to N5 billion if properly managed.
Eleniyan pointed out the need to embrace modern solutions rather than resorting to outdated methods. He highlighted the vast potential of Trans Amusement Park, spanning 67 acres of land, and suggested that selling such assets may set a precedent for selling other valuable locations in the future.
He expressed concern about the transactional nature of governance, where public office holders appear to favor their associates, potentially compromising the public interest.
