The Oyo state government has disclosed plans to repatriate hundreds of beggars and mentally challenged persons evacuated from the streets of Ibadan, the state capital.
The move is to be executed after the conclusion of proper documentation and profiling of the affected individuals.
The commissioner-designate for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Faosat Sanni, made the disclosure, on Thursday, while responding to questions from lawmakers during the screening exercise of seven returning commissioners.
She said the decision was sequel to the discovery that beggars and mentally challenged persons were back on the streets despite efforts of the government to evacuate them.
The Oyo State Government had last month embarked on the evacuation of beggars and mentally challenged persons from the streets of Ibadan, while their abode, along Jembewon road in the state capital, was demolished.
Sanni, who also served in the same capacity as former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, said plans were in top gear towards repatriating beggars and mentally challenged persons, evacuated from the streets of Ibadan, back to their states.
She disclosed that majority of the individuals kept at the Rescue Center at Akinyele had escaped from the center, with the support of their leaders, who in turn collect returns from them, maintaining that although the decision was painful, the state government had no other option but to repatriate them, in order to ensure sanity within the Ibadan metropolis.
Confirmation of appointments
Meanwhile, the House of Assembly had confirmed the appointment of all the seven commissioner nominees forwarded to it on Monday, by Governor Seyi Makinde for screening and reappointment.
The names of the designates were announced on the floor of the House on Tuesday by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, while reading the letter to that effect from Governor Seyi Makinde.
The confirmation of the commissioner nominees followed their appearance and presentation of reports of their ministries before the state legislators.
The Commissioners are Mr Akinola Ojo (Ministry of Finance), Prof Oyelowo Oyewo (Ministry of Justice), Chief Bayo Lawal (Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters) and Prof Dahud Sangodoyin (Ministry of Public Works).
Others are, Mr Temilolu Ashamu (Ministry of Energy), Mrs Faosat Sanni (Ministry of Women Affairs) and Mr Ayansiju Lawal (Ministry of Establishment and Training).
The lawmakers took turns to asking questions, seeking clarifications and giving suggestions on how the commissioner designates can move their ministries forward.
The Speaker urged the commissioners to do more in justifying the confidence reposed in them, especially by the Governor, which led to their reappointment.
“I say congratulations to all our seven returning commissioners on their reappointments. This is a great privilege and another rare opportunity for you to continue in your various ministries, and also another chance to serve the people of Oyo State. I therefore advise that you take note of all the questions and observations made by the honorable members towards moving Oyo State forward.”
Advancing the vision of the governor
Speaking on behalf of other commissioner designates, Chief Bayo Lawal assured that more developmental programmes would be embarked upon by their various ministries to further advance the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde.
He expressed appreciation to members of the 9th Assembly for their support for the present administration and the cordiality existing amongst all the arms of government in Oyo State.
Emmanuel Ukoh
