Productivity in secure environment, solution to Nigeria’s problems — Makinde
By Adewale Owoade
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde says productivity in a secure environment will solve many of Nigeria’s economic challenges.
He said this at the special plenary to mark the first anniversary of the 10th Assembly while presenting a State Address at the Oyo State House of Assembly in Ibadan.
Makinde expressed appreciation to the members of the House of Assembly and the people of Oyo State for their support.
He reiterated government’s commitment to building strong institutions in the state, which he referred to as “institutions for posterity.”
“I am here today to deliver the State of the State Address and I must start by acknowledging that it has been a tough year with untold hardships for our people.
“But as I have always said, our administration was built for times like this; like the eagle, we rise.
“We cannot fix those challenges except we become productive, so we need to be productive. It’s productivity, productivity and productivity that will solve the problem for us.
“For us in Oyo State, we have been having interests from outside of Nigeria, so that tells me that we are doing what is right and our fundamentals are really very strong.
“We know that the only way to get our people out of poverty and into prosperity is by increasing productivity.
“We must attract big businesses into our state and enable them to set up shop, not just in one zone, but all the zones of our dear state.
“Mr Speaker Sir, Honourable Members of the House, economic prosperity would mean nothing in an insecure environment. We have continued to prioritise the safety of our people.
“In the first year of Omituntun 2.0, we supported the security agencies with the resources they need to continue to keep our dear state safe and secure.
“We procured and handed over 135 additional operational vehicles fully equipped with modern communication gadgets.
“One year down, three more to go. By the grace of God, we will continue to build strong institutions in our dear state. I call them institutions for posterity.
“We now have the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED), the Oyo State Project Monitoring Agency, the Oyo State Rule of Law Authority, the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA).
“The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. We are also strategising to position the Water Corporation of Oyo State for sustainable growth.
“These are the institutions of the future. These institutions will play pivotal roles in the engineering of a modern Oyo State, working with existing ministries, departments and agencies,” Makinde said.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, thanked Makinde for the unflinching support given to the state assembly.
He also stated that the assembly has, in the last one year, worked tirelessly to review and pass important legislations, debated critical issues and represented their constituents with dedication.
“Whatever achievement we have recorded within one year is not without the unflinching support and cooperation of His Excellency Gov. Seyi Makinde, who is taking good governance to a higher level of quality, impact and effectiveness.
“The governor has always been very supportive of the state legislature especially through provisions of required resources, enabling environment and non-interference in our legislative activities.
“It has no doubt been 12 months of steady progress. First, the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly enacted laws that aided the implementation of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAFER Programme) Agenda of the present administration and the programme is already on course.
“It gladdens my heart to state that this assembly within one year had been able to pass 16 bills into law.
“While four others are presently at various stages of legislative processes, nine out of these bills had been assented to by His Excellency.
“I am pleased to also announce that 66 motions had been sponsored and moved by us, and the committees had presented 35 reports on oversight functions and matters referred to the committees at plenary sittings of the house.
“So far, the house has passed 170 resolutions to the executive arm of government and others for appropriate actions,” he said.
The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal; as well as former Deputy Governors of Oyo State, Hamid Gbadamosi and Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Also in attendance were Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, political functionaries, traditional and religious leaders, among other dignitaries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
