The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has warned all the 33 local government chairmen in the state to ensure that leaders, traditional rulers and every stakeholder in their respective council areas are carried along in their activities.
The governor also charged them to work hand-in-hand with lawmakers in various local governments to enable the people to enjoy the dividend of democracy.
Governor Makinde stated this at a security interactive meeting with traditional rulers, service commanders, local government chairmen and vice chairmen held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan on Friday.
He called on local government chairmen to continue to cooperate with the state government, the traditional institutions and House of Assembly members in their domains so that they can get the best out of the system.
According to him, “you have been elected by the people in your local government and you need to do the work. Cooperate with us, the traditional institution, your people in the Assembly so that Oyo State people can get dividends of democracy.
“I am saying this because most of these things have ramifications for the security situation that we have in Oyo State. If you are doing well in your localities, we will do well state-wise. Oyo State is judged stable but we cannot afford to rest.
“The people have given us their trust and vote and we must deliver to them. If there are things we are not paying attention to, let us make amendments. I will call an immediate meeting to evaluate some of the pieces of advice the traditional rulers have given to us.
“And where we are falling short, we will do everything to ensure that we cover the lapses,” the governor stated.
While calling for more cooperation and collaboration among security agencies, governments and the traditional institutions in the state, Makinde maintained that such cooperation has helped to improve the security situation of the state.
The governor also read the riot act to land grabbers and some chiefs who are said to be aiding their operations, as well as illegal miners, insisting that his government would deal decisively with anyone found guilty of abetting crime.
He noted that his administration would continue to provide necessary support and encouragement to the security agencies so that they can keep the state safe during the Yuletide and beyond.
Makinde noted that it is unlawful for any individual or group to forcefully take over landed property or engage in illegal mining operations, saying that the state will nip the situation in the bud by dealing decisively with those found culpable in these acts.
“Your co-operation has brought Oyo State to the point where the rest of the country is asking us how we are stable security-wise while the rest of the country seems to be getting it wrong.
“We have noticed that the co-operation between the agencies have tremendously improved and we really want to keep it that way not only for the Christmas season but even into the New Year. And we, as a government, will do everything possible to provide the necessary encouragement and support.
“We still have threats and challenges but there is room for improvement. I am also interacting with the people, including the traditional institution. We still have quite a bit to do and what we have identified as a major issue is what has been mentioned about the land grabbers. From our analysis, the land grabbers are working mostly with some traditional rulers.
“While we try to protect the interest of everybody, I want to seriously warn that we are not going to allow the situation in other places to occur here in Oyo State. This is because we have the chance and opportunity to deal decisively with those troublemakers before it becomes a trend here.
“We have to address some of these issues and nip them in the bud right now and I want to solicit for the support of our traditional institution on this,” Makinde said.
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