As part of efforts towards curbing rising insecurity in the state, the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, has ordered that local government chairmen and vice chairmen in the state must compulsorily hold security council meeting in the state and replicate the state security trust fund system at the local government level.
The governor further ordered that the meetings must hold monthly in every council area, adding that in areas where there are security challenges, the meetings must hold at least biweekly and they must strengthen intelligence gathering at the local government areas while they draw closer to the people.
Makinde gave the order while closing a two-day retreat for local government Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Heads of Local Government packaged by Fosterfield Consulting on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Office of the Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The governor further urged the council bosses to replicate the working policies of the state government at the local government levels adding that they should adopt the four pillars of the Seyi Makinde-led government namely, Education, Health, Security and Economy Expansion and add to it if need be.
While admitting that some needs may be peculiar to some local government areas, Governor Makinde promised that the state government will match action with local environment needs, urging them to work in good relationships with their Heads of Local Government.
He admonished the chairmen to explore other developmental areas such as solid minerals and tourism, adding that the state government is available for sponsorship and partnership for such projects.
“I’m glad that we were able to organise this retreat. We tried it when some of you were interim chairmen and chairpersons but Covid-19 couldn’t allow us but we thank God that in Oyo state today, Covid-19 has taken bag seat. At least from the report, I was given, there’s no anyone at the Isolation centre at Olodo.
“This interaction is a good opportunity for me to come, for us to interact and for me to share one or two things with you. I’m sure a lot of you are familiar with our Roadmap to accelerated development.
“We brought out the documents before the election last year. And I’m happy to tell you that the author of the document is here and that’s Prof Musibau Babatunde. We spent several days and weeks working on that document together and it has served us as the blueprint for this administration.
“One area we have been adjudged to have failed is security. Well, It’s a big challenge to us If we are being criticized in that area. Security actually strikes at the heart of every other thing we want to do, the expansion of the economy, health, education. All of those will only happen in a safe and secure environment. So you are coming in at a very challenging time.
“So you all have your work because we have to do more for our people in the area of security, especially in Ibarapa axis and Oke Ogun. Don’t be afraid or discouraged at all that you are just coming in and you are having these challenges before you. You are elected to solve problems and I pray and believe for the majority of you, your current position will be a stepping stone to something higher politically but you have to work,” the governor stated.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, told the council bosses to count themselves lucky because they have been blessed with a governor who is in a hurry to develop the state and translate the development to the grassroots.
She urged the council bosses to design measures to deepen the development of the state government at the local government areas, adding that, “as the ears and eyes of the governor at the grassroots, you must design measures to deepen the development objectives of the state by expanding on the four pillars of this administration; building infrastructures that target the economy, build health centres for peoples wellbeing, schools for educational advancement and better the lots of the farming populace by introducing agribusiness initiatives.”
Present at the event were Commissioner for Local government and chieftaincy matters, Chief Bayo Lawal; Chairman Local Government Service Commission, Dr Remi Ayodele; Special Adviser on Security Matters, Mr Fatai Owoseni; Special Adviser on Politics and Strategy, Hon Babatunde Oduyoye; Special Adviser on Agri-business, Dr Dabo Akande; Special Adviser on Economic Matters; Prof Musibau Babatunde; Special Adviser on Local Government Matters, Honourable Yemi Aderibigbe and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa among others.
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