Residents set agenda for Oyo Assembly, Makinde

RESIDENTS of Oyo State, on Wednesday, tasked the state house of Assembly to advance the cause of state development in security, health facilities uplift, roads rehabilitation, youth empowerment, agriculture, waste disposal and resuscitation of moribund companies.

Drawn from the 33 Local Government Areas of the state, the Oyo residents identified these imperatives at a town hall meeting organised by the state Assembly, in conjunction with YIAGA Africa for Legislative Engagement, to develop a legislative agenda for the ninth Assembly.

At the event held in Ibadan, Mr Taju Wasiu representing Afijio Local Government decried several decrepit schools and hospitals’ infrastructure that needed the attention of the state government.

Though he lauded the Assembly for passing into law the Oyo anti-grazing bill, Wasiu said residents of the state were more keen on seeing that the provisions of the law were in full effect.

On his part, Mr Kunle Adegoke from Iwajowa local government urged the Governor Seyi Makinde administration to see to youth empowerment and the fixing of poor roads that dot the state.

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To boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, Mr Fabunmi Segun of Lagelu Local Government said the Assembly must prod the state government to resuscitate abandoned companies and revamp health centres.

Noting that several schools had become an abode for Indian hemp smokers, a representative from Ibadan North, Mrs Abiola Monsurat urged the state government to prioritise the security of schools with fencing and erecting of gates.

The need for the state government to be more strategic and effective in waste management was stressed, with participants urging the state government to consider stationing receptacles in strategic areas of the state.

Mr Monsuru Taofeek of Oyo West enjoined the Assembly to be much concerned about the security of residents, including siting security posts in crime-prone areas across the state.

Setting the tone for the event, Speaker of the state Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin gave the assurance that requests of their constituents will provide direction for the focus of the legislature till its June 10, 2023 expiration date.
Ogundoyin added that the Assembly will ensure an increased budgetary provision for health and education.

Coordinator, YIAGA Africa Centre for Legislative Engagement, Dr Ernest Ereke, in his remarks, said the centre expected the Oyo Assembly to incorporate the concerns expressed at the town hall meeting, in its legislative activities for the next three and a half years.

The event was also attended by state Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo; his Youth and Sports counterpart, Mr Seun Fakorede; Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters, Honourable Babatunde Oduyoye; civil societies organisations.