Osun Farmers Head For Lagos . . .in Aregbesola's Trans


Osun farmers head for Lagos…in Aregbesola’s trains Tweet November 19, 2011 Metro By Olufunmilayo Obadina, Angela Nkwocha, Wuraola Oloruneto

Farmers in Osun State are Lagos bound, not by road but by train. The trains are packed
full with all sorts of agricultural produce. The farmers mission: Sell off the produce. When they finish selling, the proceeds will be used to procure manufactured products. The trains return to Osun with the cargo. Unlike the conventional train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) which charges its passengers a fee, the Osunfarmers ride in these trains free.

The Osun Farmers Trains project is an initiative of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, government of the state led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola but not without thecollaborative efforts of the NRC. The coming on stream of the project is a fulfilled promise, ahead of the first anniversary of the coming into office of Aregbesola. On the assumption of office of the governor in November, last year, he had promised to affect the lives of the people in a way that had not been seen before.

The Osun Farmers Trains project is part of the revolution by the Aregbesola government that is sweeping through the state like a wild bush fire. The revolution is actually encapsulated in a six-point integral action plans that seek to banish hunger, banish unemployment, restore healthy living, promote functional education and enhance communal peace and progress. Excitement is everywhere in the air in the state over the farmers trains.

“The Aregbesola revolution is touching every aspect of the Osun life.  But what makes the farmers trains really significant is that this a project that touches two critical sectors”, an ecstatic farmer in Oshogbo, who gave his name as Biodun Oladejo, said. The two critical sectors referred to by the farmer are agriculture and transport. Osun no doubt has comparative advantage in agriculture, this being the occupation of a significant population of the state.

The agricultural potentials of the state received further boost on the assumption of office of Aregbesola when he deployed substantial inputs and financial resources to the sector. The question then arose: Now that Osun has enough food to eat to the point of excess, what do we do with the extra? Selling the excess naturally makes sense. Lagos has a large population and the attendant market for farm produce.

This makes Lagos the target of the Osun farm produce. And transporting the farm produce by train offers the least cost possible. This gave birth to the Osun Farmers Trains project that is set to empower the farmers, bring more manufactured products from Lagos to the state at lower prices for the people, boost the economy and ease the pressure on the roads.

Read on here. . . . .

www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/osun-farmers-head-for-lagos-in-aregbesolas-trains/

Its just so funny. While people are talking up and down, others are working in this same Nigeria! God bless you Rauf (and NCR) for lifting the pains of osun farmers and Lagosians and Nigerians.

ACN, NICE ONE!

This is another foolish thread. How can anybody hail an FG project as Aregbesola's work? Its mind boggling!
Aregbesola is owing several months salaries to Osun state workers, probably because he used the money to sponsor elections in Alimosho LGA, Lagos as well as various massive aluta trips (eg the one that saw 19 busloads of howlers arrested).

What will Aregbesola claim next, that he is fixing 3rd Mainland Bridge?

Disgusting.

Beaf:

This is another foolish thread. How can anybody hail an FG project as Aregbesola's work? Its mind boggling!
Aregbesola is owing several months salaries to Osun state workers, probably because he used the money to sponsor elections in Alimosho LGA, Lagos as well as various massive aluta trips (eg the one that saw 19 busloads of howlers arrested).

What will Aregbesola claim next, that he is fixing 3rd Mainland Bridge?

Disgusting.

That is not the issue here
Beaf, you were here when he acquired the trains:

Osun Acquires Four Locomotives •pays Railway For Rehabilitation Of Sub-station

As part of its plan to assist farmers and boost the economy of Osun State by transporting agricultural produce to Lagos through rail line free-of-charge, the state government has acquired four locomotives of 40 coaches and 40 wagons.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, who disclosed this while briefing journalists after the state 8th Executive Council meeting in Osogbo on Wednesday, said that the locomotives were currently being constructed in China and when the works are completed on them, they would be brought to the state.

Explaining the rationale behind the project, the commissioner said that the objective was to increase income and revenue, as well as using it to create employment for the youths in the state, adding that the state has also paid the Nigeria Railway Cooperation to repair Dagbolu railways sub-station.

According to him, the state Executive Council has also approved the construction of a mid-regional market at Dagbolu area, saying, “we are starting an Osun mid-regional market at Dagbolu and this has to come into place because of the intention of the governor to make Osun the nerve commercial centre of the South-West”.

Also BEAF, it was an MOU so it is not a pure FG project. It was basically OSUN STATE that initiated it. If it was PURELY FG, why don't other states have it?

Aregbesola spoke yesterday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).
He said no nation in the world depends solely on road transportation.
Aregbesola said: “Sole reliance on road transportation has affected the nation’s economy adversely. It is high time the Federal Government improved our air and waterways for efficient transportation. Anywhere in the world, a combination of transportation systems makes a nation.
“We have overused our roads and need the alternative of a viable rail system. It is, therefore, necessary for government to develop other means of transportation.”
He said food products from the state would be exchanged for finished products from Lagos State at a market in Dagbolu, a small community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state, through rail.
NRC’s Managing Director Adeseyi Sijuwade said the corporation, in collaboration with the Osun State Government, would boost the state’s economy through freight services.
Sijuwade said the NRC has dedicated wagons to service the state.
He said: “When the NRC completes ongoing rehabilitation of its facilities, we shall collaborate with other state governments, organisations and any person that requires our services.
“This is a development that is in conformity with our home grown strategy to public private partnership, aimed at delivering quality rail transport services to Nigerians.”

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/25199-aregbesola-advocates-efficient-rail-system.html

I really admire this mans sense of dedication and purpose.

This is the kind of vision and result we expect from our leaders. Im happy for these farmers and the people of Osun.

More power to Aregbe.

@Jason123
Dude, all that is just long talk. The FG is solely in charge of the railways. Aregbesola is telling his usual ridiculous porkies.
I don't know how anybody can believe that anybody can buy trains to run on FG tracks.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation Act 1995 puts NRC business as 100% FG, there is no leeway for so-called MOU's that supply 40 coaches and 40 wagons or any other tall tale.

Aregbesola is a liar who is owing Osun states workers several months salaries and hitching a ride on FG projects, cos he has exactly zero attached to his name. Everybody is watching him incredulously now and when the time comes, it will be easy as ABC to eject him.

How can a governor lie that an FG project is his? Wonders will never cease!!

There is no scope within the law to accept Aregbesola's tall claims. As the excerpt below plainly states, nobody can do any business at all on NRC lines except the federal govt minister approves it. Nobody can walk into the NRC offices and claim to have signed MOU's with it when the minister of transports stamp from Abuja is absent:

The Nigeria Railway Act exclusively places railway business under the domain of the central government. This clearly excludes private investment. The Act makes it illegal for anyone without the consent of the railway corporation to construct or operate a railway for the public carriage of passengers or goods within Nigeria15. One of the consequences of the railway acts is its restriction placed on the extension of railway lines. It states:

“Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore in this part contained, no extension of the route kilometer of the railway shall be undertaken by or on behalf of the corporation without prior sanction of the minister if such:
(a) exceeds eight kilometer in length; and
(b) is intended for the public carriage of passengers;
and no extension exceeding eight kilometers in length of the route kilometer of a railway shall be used for the public carriage of passengers without such sanction as foresaid.”

What is more, by implication the Act forecloses private investment in the rail business. Investors are always on the look for opportunities. Five years ago, a Canadian firm put forward a proposal to construct a 3-hour Lagos-Abuja rail line. The Oodua Group had also planned to construct a 20-minute Lagos-Ibadan rail track. The Lagos State government last year signed a $240m Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lemna Incorporated, a U S-based firm, for the construction and operation of a light rail under build, operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement.
These laudable projects are bound to face the major hurdle. The Nigeria Railway Act clearly confers monopoly powers on the Nigerian Railway Corporation. The Act stated that it should be unlawful for any person, without the consent of the corporation, to construct or operate a railway

http://www.ippanigeria.org/Nigeria_IPPA_Policy_Brief_07.pdf

Why do we feel we need to lie for these politicians. The Train CANNOT be Aregbesola's Train because According to Aregbesola, the Chinese are still working on his "train".

Signing an MOU, and making payments as a result DOES NOT THEN TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF TRAINS that belong to NIGERIA (NOT NRC) to a STATE GOVERNOR. Please STOP HELPING THESE PEOPLE LIE. Any intelligent person who reads this would first try to ascertain what the MOU was for. Sounds more like the Governor paid to cover charges for transporting the farmers, something that is not hard to believe since this is the same Governor that announced he would purchase a laptop for 150.000.

NRC does not OWN Trains . . .  the trains it operates belong to all of the Nigerian people. No state Governor can then claim that trains running through his state are his, we need to stop lying on behalf of these politicians, no matter their creed, party, or religion.

Beaf:

@Jason123
Dude, all that is just long talk. The FG is solely in charge of the railways. Aregbesola is telling his usual ridiculous porkies.
I don't know how anybody can believe that anybody can buy trains to run on FG tracks.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation Act 1995 puts NRC business as 100% FG, there is no leeway for so-called MOU's that supply 40 coaches and 40 wagons or any other tall tale.

Aregbesola is a liar who is owing Osun states workers several months salaries and hitching a ride on FG projects, cos he has exactly zero attached to his name. Everybody is watching him incredulously now and when the time comes, it will be easy as ABC to eject him.

How can a governor lie that an FG project is his? Wonders will never cease!!

There is no scope within the law to accept Aregbesola's tall claims. As the excerpt below plainly states, nobody can do any business at all on NRC lines except the federal govt minister approves it. Nobody can walk into the NRC offices and claim to have signed MOU's with it when the minister of transports stamp from Abuja is absent:

http://www.ippanigeria.org/Nigeria_IPPA_Policy_Brief_07.pdf

Thanks for the revelation. What if he asked for the minister's permission before embarking on such, that is, he worked hand-in-hand with the NCR to actualise it. Do he not deserve a bit of credit? Maybe the MOU was to subsidize the transportation fare? Anyway, Nigerian politics can be tiring. Too much propaganda and falsehood.

jason123:

Thanks for the revelation. What if he asked for the minister's permission before embarking on such, that is, he worked hand-in-hand with the NCR to actualise it. Do he not deserve a bit of credit? Maybe the MOU was to subsidize the transportation fare? Anyway, Nigerian politics can be tiring. Too much propaganda and falsehood.

He did not ask the ministers hand. All he is doing is telling lies. The whole World is watching the sad antics of Aregbesola in utter bemusement.
Why does he have to lie?

The usual sily and irrelevant argument. Whats train ownership got to do with the states farming and empowerment project?

Obviosly, tons of other states have rail stations , but how many of them have the same vision to ferry their farmers to lagos for, talk less for free.

This is one of the many pointless and moronic argument we read everyday,  they yell and cry about the ones that are rasiing their fingers and making a difference while praising incompetent do nothing losers.


Well, as stated in the article, the people of osun are happy, they are the ones  the governor is responsible for, not the saddists on nl.

Yes, like Fela said  . . . "suffering and smiling". These farmers do not deserve to know the truth of what is really happening . . . .

You shouldn't have responded to those nematodes. The bottom line is Osun farmers can now take a FREE ride to Lagos and back.


I wonder why some lazy fat old gay will want to turn any story out of Nigeria a sad one, while sitting at home waiting for their monthly welfare pay checks.

This was how i battled the maggots on the Rivers monorail. Such a frustrated poor old sod.

Eko Ile:

The usual sily and irrelevant argument. Whats train ownership got to do with the states farming and empowerment project?

Obviosly, tons of other states have rail stations , but how many of them have the same vision to ferry their farmers to lagos for, talk less for free.

This is one of the many pointless and moronic argument we read everyday, they yell and cry about the ones that are rasiing their fingers and making a difference while praising incompetent do nothing losers.


Well, as stated in the article, the people of osun are happy, they are the ones the governor is responsible for, not the saddists on nl.

slit your throat if you dont like this news. Those farmers are having a FREE ride, i repeat those farmers are having a free ride to sell off their farm produce.

Now what? . . .so much of a bittered old lazy halfwit!

Lol! And the usual crew have now changed track rather sharply, from the lie borne by the thread title; "Osun Farmers Head For Lagos . . .in Aregbesola's Trans."
Whatever "trans" means.

Aregbesola has never bought any train and is just a liar, squatting on an FG project, because there is an absolute zero to his name (aside from the degrading tale of the 19 busloads of deported aluta howlers).

When will the man stop telling tales, pack home from Lagos and get cracking, so that Osun states long suffering workers who are owed several months salaries can finally get paid. They deserve to have a good xmas and new years holiday pay like their counterparts in the rest of the country, instead of these weak-headed high stories of buying trains for the FG.

First off good initiative,

@ Beaf,

If this is the case, the FG operates and maintains the track/railways etc, what MOU did the Osun Gov sign? Also, if Osun was able to sign this MOU with NRC, so it clearly means that based on the fact FG own 100% of the rail tracks, other states can actually bypass fed policy and sign MOU's?

In addition, does it mean that the FG split its operations? For instance, CSX owns a huge portion of railroad tracks, it maintains and but lease out or sign operation concessions with train companies like VRE, MARC and many others and they pay by the tonne/mile. What I mean does it mean NRC has split its operations into something like this?

I mean, wouldn't be a good idea for the govt to focus on building, maintaining and operating tracks and guidance systems and leave the business of train and station operations to the hands of state govt or corporation?

^
You are right about the need for private sector involvement; the FG has indeed, sent a bill to the NASS to allow for PPP on the rail system. But until the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act 1995 is changed, people like Aregbesola are telling porkies. I can Bet that his MOU is on paying the farmers fares for their Lagos trips on the FG's trains; not some tall tale like acquiring 40 wagons and 40 coaches, or building train stations, tracks and the like.

Kobojunkie:

Yes, like Fela said  . . . "suffering and smiling". These farmers do not deserve to know the truth of what is really happening . . . .

What's really happening and what's the truth beyond the governor fulfilling his campaign promise to the farmers and the people of Osun state?

Just what? You mind telling us.

Rhino.5dm:

You shouldn't have responded to those nematodes. The bottom line is Osun farmers can now take a FREE ride to Lagos and back.


I wonder why some lazy fat old gay will want to turn any story out of Nigeria a sad one, while sitting at home waiting for their monthly welfare pay checks.

This was how i battled the maggots on the Rivers monorail. Such a frustrated poor old sod.

The fact is, some people are just sadists, their heroes are incompetent do nothing losers. Just look at the swamp rat for example. When was the last time you here anything positive coming out of his cursed state?

Their crooked leaders are either in jail or international fugitives and with all the oil money and special status, the place is still a rot. The clown wont even talk about his own village because their is nothing to talk about or write home about, but he's obsessed with elsewhere,


Worthless clowns,

1. The people need to know that what the Government is doing here is something as simple as using their money to pay for them to take rides to Lagos.

What you term FREE here, or what they believe is FREE is actually their money (allocation/allowance/ their share of the national loot) being used to pay for them here. That is the same money that could go to developing agriculture within the state and maybe getting investors to actually show up in the state itself to do their business.  This is something people need to understand or else, we will remain in the loop described by Fela, suffering and smiling.

Not too long ago, some of you here jumped on the threads with news on Rocha giving away free this and that, and calling him out as a wasteful Governor. Why aren't you all applying the same logic here? I suspect somehow the rules change when ethnicity changes but that I will not even get into with the usual suspects on here.

Any who, I suspect that if the people are aware of this, they will certainly ask that the money be used elsewhere.

2. The people need to know that their Government has yet to build any actual rail stations, let alone actually purchased or installed any train carts.
There have been numerous reports linking this Governor to the Nigerian train system but not one of those reports has actually explained what the real link is. This is a man who has yet to deliver any trains, or actually deliver any terminals, yet there are some, even here on nairaland, who believe he has MAGICALLY delivered Osun State. If educated, people with internet access, can believe such, then there is serious work to be done educating the masses on what the situation really is.

We should be on the side of the masses, and not on the side of those elected by the masses.

3. The people need to know that the National Railway Service does not offer any State exclusive rights to terminals or rail tracks . . . NRC is a National Agency, and not necessarily a contractor that states can pay to run their own state rail system.
We have laws and acts in place to help people understand where the boundaries exist. Apparently, even those at OsunDefender, do not even understand this fact, as they, and many other news houses continue to publish ridiculous stories of how the Governor HAS(not intends) revolutionized train travel simply by signing some MOU that none of them to date has even made effort to seek out and publish for all to read.

Media houses that serve politicians only serve to deepen the Nigerian crisis . . . worsen the lives of the people, not make it better. That these people are riding happily to Lagos today does not mean that when they realize what has been going on, they will be happy even then.

4. People need to understand that going to Lagos to sell their goods is no guarantee that money will come back in the same way to Osun to develop the State.   

If the Farmers travel to Lagos to sell their produce, they are also likely to spend much of that money down in Lagos, and returning with a fraction of the money to Osun State. Matter of fact, the more I think of this Governor's plan, the more I find it is so much similar to what existed back in the days when the rail lines where still operational. Poor farmers, and traders would carry their wares to Lagos to sell, and then on their way back, would purchase goods for their use in their villages. What this meant was that the states got little benefit from this trade, and the reason why development remained low in states like Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Ogun. Lagos on the other hand, benefitted a lot from the trade.

I also don't see how providing for cheaper transport non-processed foods to markets in Lagos would act as incentive for companies to establish their base in Osun state. Companies can simply buy the produce from Farmers when they get the products to Lagos, and process them right there in Lagos, rather than have to process said goods in Osun and then have to pay the higher costs to ship the goods to Lagos markets.

Anyways, for anyone who really cares for the people will know that the truth needs to be made known, no matter what, at least  so they understand what they are signed up for. Living a Lie is just that, living a lie.

Will all these rants stop the Osun farmers from jumping on the train for a FREE ride to Lagos and back? How pathetic!

For a second, lets assume the State government lied about the project, does that stops the train from shipping the agriculture produce to Lagos? Its still baffle's me on how people can combine such a antegonistic blind-mind with deep hatred for the masses in one stretch.

And am going to repeat this, THE RIVERS monorail is on its last lap of completion, very soon i shall dump my ride for the high speed inter-city trains. Whether na "white" ,"black" or useless elephant project, who cares?? ? ? Nonsense.

Once again, can the rants from all these saddist stop the Osun farmer with his beautiful farm produce, from hopping into the next available "FREE" train to Lagos? Ekwensu!!

@topic.

Eko Ile is right to call critics in this thread sadists. We all want a new Nigeria yet wish to reserve the right to be highly ungracious to leaders much better than those they replaced in terms of effort and affinity for the plight of the common man. Lest some folks realise it, we all have a role to play , beyond fashionable internt criticism, in the development of our respective LG, State, region and , ultimately, nation. The "messiah" will not appear out of thin air as some simplistically expect from their diasporan bases.

Anybody conversant , even minimally , with history will know , without a shadow of doubt, Aregbesola is one of the good guys . Non of what we see now would be happening if Oyinola was still Governor. The success Fashola is praised for today was achieved through the sterling team effort of focused administrators like Aregbesola. This man distinguished himself to the extent he even won the best Lagos commissioner award !!!

Now , in a nation of demonic leaders, it is important to ask whether it is not only devilish folks who will make it an obssession to try and malign one of the leaders who, by virtue of an undisputed record of service delivery, should only deserves our support in a sea of administrative mediocrity.

People can make themselves amenable to deciet if they want. I can only ask that they look within themselves and ponder whether this will all be happening in Osun if Aregbesola had not taken a back-to- basics approach of reviving the agricutural sector. If this is purely about the FG and the NRC, why are we not seeing similar happening throughout Nigeria? Why is Netherland specifically partnering Osun , in its agricultural revival, and not other Nigerian States?

It says a lot about the failed lives of some nairalanders (eg Beaf) when they don't even understand that some of us can fathom their palpable frustration with life , as losers, because of one vital clue i.e only abject losers, with no personal hopes for success, fail to rise above bad belle hatred and personal inadequacies to appreciate the efforts of others . This makes them unable to give credit where it is clearly due.

Kobojunkie:

Bloody coward. You are the worst. Whatever I think of Beaf, I rate him far better than you because he is always ready to represent his corner unlike you who only know how to criticise everything and then run away, tail between legs , when asked to defend your corner !!!

You made so much noise (as usual) before the election about supporting Buhari because he is best in your opinion. Yet when given the chance to argue Buhari's corner, to show why you think he is the man for the job and perhaps aid the emergence of the better Nigeria you pretend to want, you chickened out !!

Now, your role is criticising everyone and everything all day long like you know it all even when the entire forum patronises you by saying nothing about your annoying ignorance, argument going nowhere and self-hating attitude of seeing nothing good in anything/anyone connected with Nigeria. Yet if they give you the chance to to replace these leaders , you clearly think you are better than, you will probably run away from such responsibility.

Below Gbawe, Beaf and Kobojunkie asked to defend their presidential candidate they had all made so much noise about . Gbawe and Beaf oblige while Kobojunkie chickens out as the ultimate coward not willing to ever accept any responsibility, however minimal, or stand up to be counted for a worthy cause. Jarus , the OP, had to nominate someone else to replace Ko[b]l[/b]ojunkie when it is obvious any responsible and stand-up citizen should be able to defend their electoral choice anytime, anyday.Yet this character is never lacking in criticism of others. Someone needs to explain to this individual that life is not a spectator sport where we can castigate the 'gladiators' in the Arena only to run like cowards when asked to come and slay the beast.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-585949.0.html

@Jarus, I don't think it would be fair to have me as team lead for the Buhari team. For one, I don't really believe 'in' him, nor do I trust he will not turn out to be just as bad as the others we have had. I only believe that he is the best hand we have, at this time, to play in this poker game of politics.

Aregberascal for ever,let the haters hate, the man is delivering for his people. The same rail line passes through a lot of PDP states and we can not see their effect, infact, in Gombe, they have built a park on the rail line.

. . . . . If we can only get the thread back to discussing the issue at hand . .  Osun State . . . Free Train Rides . . .  Misunderstandings . .  . Truths vs Lies . . .  benefits vs potential failures . . . .


1. The people need to know that what the Government is doing here is something as simple as using their money to pay for them to take rides to Lagos.

What you term FREE here, or what they believe is FREE is actually their money (allocation/allowance/ their share of the national loot) being used to pay for them here. That is the same money that could go to developing agriculture within the state and maybe getting investors to actually show up in the state itself to do their business.  This is something people need to understand or else, we will remain in the loop described by Fela, suffering and smiling.

Not too long ago, some of you here jumped on the threads with news on Rocha giving away free this and that, and calling him out as a wasteful Governor. Why aren't you all applying the same logic here? I suspect somehow the rules change when ethnicity changes but that I will not even get into with the usual suspects on here.

Any who, I suspect that if the people are aware of this, they will certainly ask that the money be used elsewhere.

2. The people need to know that their Government has yet to build any actual rail stations, let alone actually purchased or installed any train carts.
There have been numerous reports linking this Governor to the Nigerian train system but not one of those reports has actually explained what the real link is. This is a man who has yet to deliver any trains, or actually deliver any terminals, yet there are some, even here on nairaland, who believe he has MAGICALLY delivered Osun State. If educated, people with internet access, can believe such, then there is serious work to be done educating the masses on what the situation really is.

We should be on the side of the masses, and not on the side of those elected by the masses.

3. The people need to know that the National Railway Service does not offer any State exclusive rights to terminals or rail tracks . . . NRC is a National Agency, and not necessarily a contractor that states can pay to run their own state rail system.
We have laws and acts in place to help people understand where the boundaries exist. Apparently, even those at OsunDefender, do not even understand this fact, as they, and many other news houses continue to publish ridiculous stories of how the Governor HAS(not intends) revolutionized train travel simply by signing some MOU that none of them to date has even made effort to seek out and publish for all to read.

Media houses that serve politicians only serve to deepen the Nigerian crisis . . . worsen the lives of the people, not make it better. That these people are riding happily to Lagos today does not mean that when they realize what has been going on, they will be happy even then.

4. People need to understand that going to Lagos to sell their goods is no guarantee that money will come back in the same way to Osun to develop the State.  

If the Farmers travel to Lagos to sell their produce, they are also likely to spend much of that money down in Lagos, and returning with a fraction of the money to Osun State. Matter of fact, the more I think of this Governor's plan, the more I find it is so much similar to what existed back in the days when the rail lines where still operational. Poor farmers, and traders would carry their wares to Lagos to sell, and then on their way back, would purchase goods for their use in their villages. What this meant was that the states got little benefit from this trade, and the reason why development remained low in states like Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Ogun. Lagos on the other hand, benefitted a lot from the trade.

I also don't see how providing for cheaper transport non-processed foods to markets in Lagos would act as incentive for companies to establish their base in Osun state. Companies can simply buy the produce from Farmers when they get the products to Lagos, and process them right there in Lagos, rather than have to process said goods in Osun and then have to pay the higher costs to ship the goods to Lagos markets.

Living with a Lie is just that, living a lie.

Kobojunkie:

. . . . . If we can only get the thread back to discussing the issue at hand . .  Osun State . . . Free Train Rides . . .  Misunderstandings . .  . Truths vs Lies . . .  benefits vs potential failures . . . .


1. The people need to know that what the Government is doing here is something as simple as using their money to pay for them to take rides to Lagos.

What you term FREE here, or what they believe is FREE is actually their money (allocation/allowance/ their share of the national loot) being used to pay for them here. That is the same money that could go to developing agriculture within the state and maybe getting investors to actually show up in the state itself to do their business.  This is something people need to understand or else, we will remain in the loop described by Fela, suffering and smiling.

Not too long ago, some of you here jumped on the threads with news on Rocha giving away free this and that, and calling him out as a wasteful Governor. Why aren't you all applying the same logic here? I suspect somehow the rules change when ethnicity changes but that I will not even get into with the usual suspects on here.

Any who, I suspect that if the people are aware of this, they will certainly ask that the money be used elsewhere.

2. The people need to know that their Government has yet to build any actual rail stations, let alone actually purchased or installed any train carts.
There have been numerous reports linking this Governor to the Nigerian train system but not one of those reports has actually explained what the real link is. This is a man who has yet to deliver any trains, or actually deliver any terminals, yet there are some, even here on nairaland, who believe he has MAGICALLY delivered Osun State. If educated, people with internet access, can believe such, then there is serious work to be done educating the masses on what the situation really is.

We should be on the side of the masses, and not on the side of those elected by the masses.

3. The people need to know that the National Railway Service does not offer any State exclusive rights to terminals or rail tracks . . . NRC is a National Agency, and not necessarily a contractor that states can pay to run their own state rail system.
We have laws and acts in place to help people understand where the boundaries exist. Apparently, even those at OsunDefender, do not even understand this fact, as they, and many other news houses continue to publish ridiculous stories of how the Governor HAS(not intends) revolutionized train travel simply by signing some MOU that none of them to date has even made effort to seek out and publish for all to read.

Media houses that serve politicians only serve to deepen the Nigerian crisis . . . worsen the lives of the people, not make it better. That these people are riding happily to Lagos today does not mean that when they realize what has been going on, they will be happy even then.

4. People need to understand that going to Lagos to sell their goods is no guarantee that money will come back in the same way to Osun to develop the State.  

If the Farmers travel to Lagos to sell their produce, they are also likely to spend much of that money down in Lagos, and returning with a fraction of the money to Osun State. Matter of fact, the more I think of this Governor's plan, the more I find it is so much similar to what existed back in the days when the rail lines where still operational. Poor farmers, and traders would carry their wares to Lagos to sell, and then on their way back, would purchase goods for their use in their villages. What this meant was that the states got little benefit from this trade, and the reason why development remained low in states like Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Ogun. Lagos on the other hand, benefitted a lot from the trade.

I also don't see how providing for cheaper transport non-processed foods to markets in Lagos would act as incentive for companies to establish their base in Osun state. Companies can simply buy the produce from Farmers when they get the products to Lagos, and process them right there in Lagos, rather than have to process said goods in Osun and then have to pay the higher costs to ship the goods to Lagos markets.

Living with a Lie is just that, living a lie.

What a load of ignorant junk from a mind only predisposed to arguing blindly. Aregbesola cannot "build any actual Sations" or "deliver terminals". He can proactively engage the NRC, sign a MOU with them, and assist with finance, to get things 'moving',  Osun may seek back from the FG same as how some States proactively repair federal roads (like Ogun State) to then petition the FG for what was spent. Clearly the MOU signed between the NRC and Osun State is paying off but a highly ignorant person like yourself always willing to only criticise , while totally unwilling to learn, will never fathom the very obvious. Osun can also deploy it own privately purchased and compliant-gauge wagon to run on our rail lines to assist dedicated transport of produce. This is precisely what is going on here.

Your statement of "share of national loot" is another example of your crass ignorance because it indicates you don't understand the basic notion of economic subsidy. In a serious nation, farmers , for many reasons, cannot simply have there goods transported free because it is "their share of the national cake". They are not farming for themselves ala susbsistent farming. They are involved in commercial farming with all the appended consideration of taxation accrued and contribution to State income/development etc. The Osun Government is therefore being proactive in supporting them actively in a holistic effort with free land, fertiliser, link rural roads etc and subsidized transport to move produce to destination market.

Everything we are seeing now, start to finish, is planned. It is laughable folks like you, with your committment to arguing blindly, only talk because you like the sound of your own voice and not because you have anything sensible to contribute.

I tire for Kobo o, all those points do not carry any weight, point 4 is even funny, will those selling their goods in Lagos abandon their farms in Osun state? Will they not fend for their families, will they not pay their farm workers? Oro yi ma su yan o, why are other states with the same rail track not doing the same thing, on point 1, you say they should invest the money in agriculture, by facilitating the movement of agricultural produce are they not investing in agriculture? The NRC has not denied Osun's state investment it is someone in Ohio that knows everything about the agreement.

Kobojunkie:

. . . . . If we can only get the thread back to discussing the issue at hand . .  Osun State . . . Free Train Rides . . .  Misunderstandings . .  . Truths vs Lies . . .  benefits vs potential failures . . . .


1. The people need to know that what the Government is doing here is something as simple as using their money to pay for them to take rides to Lagos.

What you term FREE here, or what they believe is FREE is actually their money (allocation/allowance/ their share of the national loot) being used to pay for them here. That is the same money that could go to developing agriculture within the state and maybe getting investors to actually show up in the state itself to do their business.  This is something people need to understand or else, we will remain in the loop described by Fela, suffering and smiling.

Not too long ago, some of you here jumped on the threads with news on Rocha giving away free this and that, and calling him out as a wasteful Governor. Why aren't you all applying the same logic here? I suspect somehow the rules change when ethnicity changes but that I will not even get into with the usual suspects on here.

Any who, I suspect that if the people are aware of this, they will certainly ask that the money be used elsewhere.

2. The people need to know that their Government has yet to build any actual rail stations, let alone actually purchased or installed any train carts.
There have been numerous reports linking this Governor to the Nigerian train system but not one of those reports has actually explained what the real link is. This is a man who has yet to deliver any trains, or actually deliver any terminals, yet there are some, even here on nairaland, who believe he has MAGICALLY delivered Osun State. If educated, people with internet access, can believe such, then there is serious work to be done educating the masses on what the situation really is.

We should be on the side of the masses, and not on the side of those elected by the masses.

3. The people need to know that the National Railway Service does not offer any State exclusive rights to terminals or rail tracks . . . NRC is a National Agency, and not necessarily a contractor that states can pay to run their own state rail system.
We have laws and acts in place to help people understand where the boundaries exist. Apparently, even those at OsunDefender, do not even understand this fact, as they, and many other news houses continue to publish ridiculous stories of how the Governor HAS(not intends) revolutionized train travel simply by signing some MOU that none of them to date has even made effort to seek out and publish for all to read.

Media houses that serve politicians only serve to deepen the Nigerian crisis . . . worsen the lives of the people, not make it better. That these people are riding happily to Lagos today does not mean that when they realize what has been going on, they will be happy even then.

4. People need to understand that going to Lagos to sell their goods is no guarantee that money will come back in the same way to Osun to develop the State.  

If the Farmers travel to Lagos to sell their produce, they are also likely to spend much of that money down in Lagos, and returning with a fraction of the money to Osun State. Matter of fact, the more I think of this Governor's plan, the more I find it is so much similar to what existed back in the days when the rail lines where still operational. Poor farmers, and traders would carry their wares to Lagos to sell, and then on their way back, would purchase goods for their use in their villages. What this meant was that the states got little benefit from this trade, and the reason why development remained low in states like Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Ogun. Lagos on the other hand, benefitted a lot from the trade.

I also don't see how providing for cheaper transport non-processed foods to markets in Lagos would act as incentive for companies to establish their base in Osun state. Companies can simply buy the produce from Farmers when they get the products to Lagos, and process them right there in Lagos, rather than have to process said goods in Osun and then have to pay the higher costs to ship the goods to Lagos markets.

Living with a Lie is just that, living a lie.

The truth still remains that The train now carries farm produce from Osogbo to Lagos-free of charge for the farmers.
Aregbesola saw a big opportunity in reducing the Northern monopoly on farmproduce and jumped at it because of Osun state's proxy to Lagos state.
Farmers in Osun state will be the greatest gainers of this project because they will get more value for their products.
It will open a new line of employment for drivers who will drive from train stations to different destinations.
Employment will be generated which always have multiple effect on any economy.
The trains will also transport cement,iron rods,timber,etc which hitherto have been transported by trailers increasing the spate of deterioration of Osun roads.
Such heavy goods will reduce the stress on Osun roads,increase their lifespan while the cushion effect of the rail system lasts.
That this project is taking off at this time is a clear case of well-planned and prepared policy of Aregbesola.
Why cant Oyinlola concieve such glorious project even though the son of the Ife Monarch is NRC's MD?
The rail line might be FG's but the train stations,dedicated coaches and other infrastructures is being deveoped,acquired or financed by the state.

hercules07:

I tire for Kobo o, all those points do not carry any weight, point 4 is even funny, will those selling their goods in Lagos abandon their farms in Osun state? Will they not fend for their families, will they not pay their farm workers? Oro yi ma su yan o, why are other states with the same rail track not doing the same thing, on point 1, you say they should invest the money in agriculture, by facilitating the movement of agricultural produce are they not investing in agriculture? The NRC has not denied Osun's state investment it is someone in Ohio that knows everything about the agreement.

Man mi , some are just fond of criticising and being contrarian because they think it makes them appear intelligent. For the avoidance of doubt, and for those who actually know Nigeria and what obtains on the ground, the best Governors to be supported are those not waiting on the FG for anything. Aregbesola is probably one of the most impressive Governors in Nigeria right now if you look at his holistic plan to reduce poverty and develop Osun aggressively and radically. The same way he proactively committed the money of the State to assume the duty of the FG (see below) in keeping Osun folks safe is how he would have committed whatever is available to aid the agricultural revival of Osun State with the attendant implication for increased IGR, employment and overall development.

As you pointed out with this statement;

The NRC has not denied Osun's state investment it is someone in Ohio that knows everything about the agreement.

I also find it strange that the Osun Police boss or the FG has not denied what is written below yet it is Beaf, in his squalid room in the UK, who can state 'authoritatively' that Aregbesola is lying. Why has the FG not debunked the "lies" below?

http://www.osundefender.org/?p=20520

Crime fighting: Rep commends Aregbesola

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, has commended the Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for approving the immediate purchase of five Armoured Personnel Carriers and 12 new patrol vans to support the state Police Command in combating crime.

The lawmaker, representing the Ilesa West/Ilesa East/Atakumosa West/Atakumosa East Federal Constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, described the state government’s prompt attention to providing tools to the police as responsive.

In a statement, he said: “This action shows how responsive Osun State Government is to have gone into the state’s minute treasury in its bid to protect lives and properties of the habitants of the state.

“It is a shameful act for the Police Force to have waited for the state government to purchase the APCs for them despite the fact that this is not the responsibility of a state government. But of course, as a responsible governor, Ogbeni Aregbesola will do all within his reach to provide adequate security for the people of the state.”

CULLED FROM THE NATION