By Moyosore Salami
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde who was sworn in for a second term of four years in office yesterday, has promised the people in the state that he will always put their interests first in the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023 to 2027, which will focus on four pillars; Economy, Education, Healthcare and Security.
He made the assurance in his inaugural speech after he took the oath of office, which was administered by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice IyaboYerima, at the main bowl of Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, hitherto known as Liberty Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. The deputy governor, Adebayo Lawal, was also sworn in earlier during the ceremony that attracted people from all walks of life.
Makinde also vowed to implement all existing laws, and he has created the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OMASED) to sensitise the public and draw a timetable for the implementation of the existing laws, including those against street trading.
According to him, “Four years ago, I took an oath before God and you, the good people of Oyo State. I pledged to put aside my self-interest to serve you to the best of my ability. Today, I stand before you to renew that pledge and reaffirm these solemn words – I will always put your interests first.
“We have embarked on continuous sensitisation of the people, encouraging them to adopt a lifestyle change that will make the environment more suitable for living and business.
“Having created these structures, it is time to implement existing laws based on the principles of equity and fairness. Therefore, I have directed all relevant agencies to enforce existing traffic, waste management and street trading laws. It is time to upgrade to the Omituntun 2.0 Lifestyle.
“We must appreciate the link between the rule of law and sustainable development. As we all know, where there is no law, there is chaos, and where there is chaos, business and development suffer. We must never allow our communities to descend to the level of chaos that will turn away investors.
“Therefore, I direct the creation of the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OMASED). This agency will be mandated to establish a public orientation and sensitisation framework into which all agencies and departments of government must key in. This framework will ensure continuous sensitisation and enlightenment using traditional, electronic and social media. I further direct that this framework should incorporate a timetable for the enforcement of all existing traffic, waste management and street trading laws.
“We have worked hard to stimulate and accelerate economic and social development in Oyo State. As promised, we have extracted value from once-moribund facilities and abandoned projects in Oyo State. Under Omituntun 1.0, we prioritised infrastructural development. We completed over 137 km of road projects, taking a top-to-bottom approach to road rehabilitations and reconstructions. We focused on interconnecting all the zones because we knew that therein lies the key to kick-starting our no zones left behind policy. Under Omituntun 2.0, we will ensure that we complete all ongoing road projects and give priority attention to internal roads in urban areas.”