The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said his government has begun an adjustment of the state security architecture to respond to the current security challenges in the state.
Makinde disclosed this, on Thursday, in a “State of the State Address” presented to the members of the state House of Assembly, during a special plenary to commemorate the second anniversary of the state’s ninth Assembly.
The event, which also saw the lawmakers passing a vote of confidence on the governor, was not attended by members of opposition parties in the House.
Although he did not mention in specific terms what adjustment is being made to the security architecture, Makinde said the process began after a visit to Igangan, in the Ibarapa Zone of the state, to assess the damages caused by the attack on the people, reiterating that he is determined to ensure that such an attack never repeats itself.
Makinde said: “Permit me to start by commenting on a salient issue that has affected our people in the Ibarapa Zone. Mr Speaker Sir, you were with us a few days ago when we went to Igangan to assess the damages caused by the attacks on our people.”
“And we are determined to ensure that such an attack will not repeat itself again. For this reason, we are adjusting our security architecture to respond to our current situation.”
While briefing the lawmakers on his various strides and efforts at developing the state in the last two years of his administration, Makinde revealed that the prosperity of the people of Oyo State is the core driver of the policies and projects of his administration, which is consequently bringing some of the best results of good governance in Nigeria.
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He noted: “We grew our Internally Generated Revenue by about N1billion each month. This gives us N12billion to plough back into the economy each year. We have invested these monies wisely in infrastructure development, especially in the construction of roads.”
In his address, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, asserted that the ninth Oyo State House of Assembly now prides itself as one of the best in the country in terms of legislative accomplishments and tasks performed within a limited time.
Ogundoyin said: “You will recall that a year ago, we were here and I rolled out the achievements of this House within its first twelve months to the surprise of many. It is again gratifying to say that, a year after, we have waxed stronger and we have not rested on our oars. What some Houses of Assembly achieved in their entire four years have been achieved by this honourable House in just two years.”
He announced that the ninth Oyo State House of Assembly had passed a total of 56 bills into law and made 83 resolutions, including the oversight functions of members at committee levels, adding that other bills aimed at improving the standard of living of the people and enhancing good governance were at different stages of the legislative process.
The speaker stated: “We would have achieved much more and surpassed the above records, but for the intermission brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and a strike action by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN). May I reiterate that we will not compromise on our constitutional responsibilities of law-making, adequate representation and effective oversights.”
Passing the vote of confidence on Governor Makinde, the all-PDP lawmakers present said they were impressed with the various efforts of the Makinde-led administration in steering the affairs of the state.
The motion to pass the vote was moved by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Abiodun Fadeyi and seconded by Mr Dele Adeola (Iseyin/Itesiwaju).
Zainab Sa’id
