OPINION: Security, Health And Education In Oyo State Is Gov. Makinde Priority – Moyosoreoluwa
|Admin|
A fellow patriotic and the crusader of Ire De, Ire Wolu Ni Ipinle Oyo, Comrade Moyosoreoluwa Olamilekan Eldreez (MOE) as described the administrative of Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde as a catalyst to new dawn in the state as the administration focus more on Security, Health and Education.The statement read as follows;
We also have opportunities in the Health, Education and Security sectors. We have gaps in these sectors that you can fill and we offer special incentives to encourage you. For instance, in the education sector, we had almost half a million out of school children.
With our free basic education initiative, we witnessed an influx of students into schools. We know that some of these students will be better served by robust technical schools. Our administration does not have all the money to set up these schools but this administration is everly ready to hear you speak of any giant ideas, or initiatives for the benefit of all and as you can see from.the recent BECE exam, we have so much enrollment for this.
So, we are ready to partner with you in setting up fully equipped technical colleges for our youths. As with the agriculture sector, we are willing to discuss incentives such as land and investment grants and many more that can better cater for the lives of our future, the YOUTHS.
Another sector we have open for investment is the power sector. As at the last count, we had over 1.2 million residences in Oyo State This is a huge market for energy investment. Our newly created Oyo State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is already looking into alternate sources of energy so we do not rely solely on the National grid. Waste to Energy and Solar Energy, which I must say we have in abundance, are two areas we are exploring. We have aspirations for energy sufficiency in the state. We have had a study conducted that shows that the state can generate about 200MW from solar energy alone.
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So, why should you choose Oyo State?
We have the comparative advantage that will guarantee a huge Return on Investment.
Oyo State is strategically located. The largest seaport in Nigeria is just about one hundred kilometres away.
With the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway, your materials can land at the Lagos Apapa Port and be cleared at the Ibadan Inland Dry Port just about two hours later.
We are also investing heavily in intra-city roads. Constructions are ongoing at Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomosho Road, Agodi Gate to Old Ife Road to Airport, Adegbayi Ibadan road and more. We are ensuring that we have a road network that makes movement within towns and cities hassle-free. We also do not have an “Agbero” problem.
Our well-coordinated Park Management System further ensures ease of commuting. Now, you can see our metro buses into our roads as well as the unveiling of the newly built edifice of Ojoo and challenge bus terminals.
You may be thinking, great pitch and you may in fact, be almost sold. I say almost because there is always the nagging issue that every entrepreneur considers before they take a plunge. For every opportunity, there is a challenge.
And so, in the spirit of transparency, My Principal Effulgent Leader Exceptional Inspirational Educationist His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE speaks:
” I will be sharing with you some of the challenges that you may encounter trying to do business in Oyo State. But I will do more. I will not just tell you what these challenges are, I will tell you what we are doing to ensure that you overcome these challenges.”
“This is, in fact, one of the beauties of working with the Oyo State Government. We have studied the landscape from a businessman’s perspective. Having been in the business world myself and opened businesses in various countries, I am fully aware of some of the issues that new investors encounter and we are doing our best to smoothen the process for you he said.”
In Nigeria as a whole, we are facing the issue of insecurity. But in the Southwest and indeed Oyo State, things are relatively more peaceful. We have invested in securing the lives and properties of all within the borders of Oyo State through collaborations with the Federal Police.
At the onset of this administration, Governor Seyi Makinde donated one hundred state-of-the-art security patrol vehicles to facilitate the movement and response time of the police. More recently, Oyo State has been at the forefront of the launch of the Western Nigeria Security Network code-named Amotekun. We have no doubts that Oyo State will join the ranks of the safest places in the world in no time.
Another issue that entrepreneurs often face is the ease of entry. Nigeria has become infamous for corruption and it has become normal to bribe officials to get things done. In Oyo State, we favour openness and transparency. We have an open-door policy and this makes for accountability. None of our officials is allowed to solicit or receive bribes and kickbacks.
His Excellency further reiterates on their efforts so far in this administration, ‘they have signed the Oyo State Investment Promotion Act and the Oyo State Financial Crimes Commission Act.’
You will notice cultural and attitudinal differences which may seem shocking. Your proactiveness and focus may also be challenged. But with an open mind, you will soon overcome those. Your attitude has to be that of a missionary ready to adopt and adapt.
On our part, we are working on making operations as seamless as possible. We are using technology and automation where possible to reduce human contact.
Under this administration, they are also providing training for civil servants directed at changing their orientation and mindset. I must say that the Oyo State Civil Servants are on our side of the fence.
They want these investments as much as we do and so they are doing their part. We all know that change is neither easy nor automatic but we have their buy-in. Because we are making the government more people-centred by listening to them, they, in turn, are more willing to work with our administration.
We also have a very effective feedback mechanism that ensures that people working against the system are ousted and such situations dealt with. So have no fear makinde assures.
When it comes to acquiring permits, and this is an area where the usual bureaucracy and red tape leads to wasted man-hours, this Govt has taken steps to cut down the time that is usually spent acquiring documentation.
For instance, before now, it would take about three to four months to acquire your Certificate of Occupancy after purchasing land.
The process is now within two months but can further be simplified, but this is just a start.
Coming from the Diaspora, especially the United States where you do not even think about the power supply, to Nigeria where you have to factor in the cost of energy supply can be a huge burden. What we are doing in Oyo State is improving the power situation through investment in alternate sources of power.
Presently, we are talking to Shell Nigeria Gas for gas supply and several other suppliers for the independent power project.
In all, as the Executive Governor of Oyo state, I am happy to tell you that Oyo State is open for business.
It is our firm belief that we will build partnerships that will take Oyo State and indeed Nigeria to greater heights.
Yours Servant Leader!
