Governor Makinde Endorsing More Developments In Oyo State

By   B o d’    O r i a d e

The Omituntun 2.0 of Governor Seyi Makinde means consolidation and a further development of Oyo State. This very initiative to, again, transform the economy of Oyo State brought about some variations to the former structures of ministries and departments in the state. 

For instance the  Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has been divided into two, with the Culture and Tourism part now to become a full Ministry. The essence of this is to create a new basket of economic opportunities, and market the heritage and cultural identities of Oyo State, as this will expand and add value to the economy. 

This renewed focus came to fore as Governor Makinde started redesigning and developing economic areas that were once abandoned by previous governments of Oyo State, as this will make the environment conducive for more investments and cohabitation.

To Governor Makinde, further development of Oyo State will mean fixing the security architecture and arresting concerns to make development thrive. On this, the Governor has empowered security agencies to enable them secure Oyo State. He is spearheading the initiative by being the Head of the Special Task Force established to tackle insecurity in Oyo State. 

Earlier under Omituntun 1.0, Governor Makinde  donated 100 patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state to empower them protect and secure lives and properties. And plans are in the making to procure additional vehicles for the security operatives under Omituntun2.0. 

Equally, the Police Swift Response Squad (SRS) is being supported to revive Operation Burst to continue the state of peace of Oyo State. Also the officers and men of  Amotekun security outfit are being trained and motivated to complement the job of other security networks in the state.

A safe Oyo State is an enabler to trigger other solid developments.     

Also, the initiative to continue the light up of Oyo State, starting from the state capital city, is a welcome development. Today in Oyo State security has been ungraded as criminals no more have a hiding place. The Project Light-Up Oyo State is a well thought out plan to illuminate Oyo State, increase visibility, and return night life and business to Oyo State. The increased investment on lighting has continued to gainfully impart on the economy. The project will cover up to 250 kilometers across the entire Oyo state. 

Again, Governor Makinde has taken the security initiative to the grassroots by enlisting the support and cooperation of traditional leaders. By this, community policing is advanced since locals, community groups and leaders will provide intelligence and vital leads to curb insecurity in Oyo State. 

Today there are massive investments in security in Oyo state. The governor has boosted the foregoing security strategies with nonkenetic measures. Technology has now been installed to enhance security in Oyo state. A special toll free number has been dedicated to the people to call in time of distress. The government has upgraded facilities at the Security Control Room and the City Watch, including  CCTV cameras. This will improve surveillance and interventions, starting from Ibadan environs. 

This enormous investment in security has started yielding results, and Oyo State is now peaceful and incidents of skirmishes, threats and attacks have reduced. The people can now breathe a sigh of relief and residents can now sleep with eyes closed. There is now new upsurge in patronage of hotels and other hospitality businesses, owing to the conducive and secured atmosphere of Oyo State. 

This improved security has enabled the Governor to expand the economy of Oyo State. 

At present, there is a new drive to develop the abundant solid mineral resources and the culture and tourism industry in Oyo State, as this will support the already booming agribusiness sector. 

Oyo State is endowed with solid minerals with a large distribution across the state geology. Some of these are Iron ore, tantalite, columbite, cassiterite, bismuth, gemstones, gold, marble, red clay, sand, gravel, granite, syenite, kaolin and talc. 

The demand for coloured gemstones and tantalite has increased globally. Oyo State has a potential to increasingly produce varieties of specifically coloured gems and tantalite in good quantities. This is where Governor Makinde has set to  explore and expand. The Oyo State Pacesetter Mineral Development Company will be on ground to coordinate the activities of this project. 

Again, the special heritage resources of Oyo State are delights to the world. This has Makinde set to market to the world, beginning from Nigeria. This is already being achieved through the Culture and Tourism development in Oyo State. 

Through this initiative we will support Governor Makinde to market Oyo State culture and traditions to the world. We will consolidate and trade the cultural values of the                               Sango Festival in Oyo, the Okebadan Festival, and the World Twins Day Festival in Igboora, Gelede Masquerade culture, and support oral poetry, drama and dance, Kishi Adasobo Festival in Kisi, Oke Iyamopo Festival in Igbeti. 

We will showcase all historical  sites and locations to the world. We will trade and welcome global tourists and visitors to the Awaye Hills, the Ikere Gorge Dam, the Ogun o jalu landmark of Ogbomoso, the tombs of four Alaafins of Oyo in Igboho, the source of  River Ogun  in Igboho and Osoogun, the birthplace of Bishop Ajayi Crowther, the Ado Awaye Suspended Lake.

To  facilitate these new developments, logistics and road infrastructures are being upgraded and resurfaced. Rural roads leading to towns and cities are being fixed by the government of Governor Makinde. Some of these roads will link Ibadan to Oke-Ogun Zone, Oyo to Oke-Ogun Zone and Ogbomoso to Oke-Ogun Zone. The road projects to link Ibadan to Ibarapa Zone, and Ibarapa to Oke-Ogun Zone are still in progress. 

These inner roads will enhance easy commuting of residents, farmers, tourists, visitors and facilitate the evacuation of farm produce and industrial products to markets. In Ibadan Zone, Makinde has promised to reconstruct about 100 km of roads as these roads are already ageing.

Governor Makinde has already begun good works to support the expansion and upgrades of Ibadan airport with the provision of logistics including the donation of fire truck and a pick-up van, construction of a 500,000 litres aviation fuel storage and dispensing facility, and building a new VIP Lounge.

According to Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Chief Press Secretary to Oyo State Governor: “Over the past four years, the number of enterprises within the state has grown to 1,872,941 with the bulk of them in the capital city. This is one of the reasons a United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) research ranked Ibadan as the second fastest growing city in Africa, citing industrialisation, urbanisation and economic activities as reasons for the growth.

The state has also attracted private investments of over N27 billion in agribusiness as well as $65million foreign direct investment. Similarly, the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) hovers around N4billion monthly while the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grown by 50 per cent in four years”.  

Obviously, by this latest impetus to    diversify the economy of Oyo State, the State will have exponential increase in her revenues. Oyo State has been structurally repositioned economically to increase value by the Makinde government. With the latest expansions and rehabilitations on the economy and facilities, more developments are in sight. With good roads and  an operational airport, we look forward to welcoming visitors, businesses, tourists, investments and trades to Oyo State.