Oyo working on architecture to solve security challenges -Makinde

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, says his administration is  working on the security architecture of the state to ensure a holistic solution to insecurity challenges being faced by the state.

Governor Makinde, who stated this while declaring close a two-day retreat for Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLAs), in the 33 Local Government Councils of the state,  in Ibadan on Wednesday,  said that his government has, indeed, been working hard to find a lasting solution to the challenges in the all-important sector.

He stated that when ongoing efforts to rework the security system are completed, even the Federal Government will copy the state’s template.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as  expressing delight at the well-packaged retreat put together by Forsterfield Consulting in conjunction with the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters.

While addressing the chairmen, Governor Makinde admonished them to step up their game on the issue of security and take responsibility for the security of their domains, saying, though security is the responsibility of everyone in the society, those in government will be held accountable.

He equally charged the chairmen to  consider adopting the Security Task Force approach of the state government and to hold regular security meetings and work with the Amotekun, federal security agencies and the voluntary policing initiative of the state government.

He also asked the council bosses to up the scale of intelligence gathering in their domains.

He said: “There is a state Security Task Force, you can replicate that at the local government level. Meet once a week and review. I can bet that by the time we are done grinding our security architecture, they will copy it at the national level in this country. So, you should step up to the table and ensure that, at each of your local government area, you take responsibility.

“When I went to Igangan, I said we would start funding the hunters and local vigilantes and we made the arrangement. Today, I am glad that the HLAs are here. We are passing through a very challenging period. So, everybody must come together to support that initiative. If we get it right, on a monthly basis, we will ensure that we make provision for them because they are quite important.

“From the report I have on Ibarapa, both open and confidential, it would have been a lot worse if not for local hunters and vigilantes. So, we need to strengthen that network.”

While charging the local council officials to consider adopting the four service point agenda or pillars of the state government or work on their own based on the peculiarities of the councils, he stated that the state government will continue to support the councils to achieve the mandate of delivering  quality service to the people at the grassroots.

He assured that the state government will always be available to support the council chairmen, saying: “You know we are here to support you. If you are faced with challenges beyond your control, come to us and we will solve it together.”

He also admonished the civil servants at the local government levels to support the council chairmen to achieve success, noting that the government will always be ready to listen to them and give necessary support to do their jobs effectively.