Expect completion of several projects in 2021, Makinde tells critics
As Oyo Assembly adopts VAPP Act
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that his administration will complete several infrastructure projects his government initiated at inception next year.
Makinde, who stated this during the 2020 Christmas Carol Service and Nine Lessons in Ibadan at the weekend, maintained that several roads and other infrastructure development projects embarked upon by his administration would be commissioned in 2021.
He added that by next year, residents of the state and his critics would see the efforts his government was making to transform the state.
Specifically, the governor stated that the Bus Interchanges, Apete-Awotan Road, Saki Township Road, Oroki-Gedu-Asipa Road, Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road and Akala Way, among others, would be commissioned in the New Year.
A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Makinde also urged residents of the state to intensify prayers for his administration, the state and its leaders.
He told the people not to relent in prayers for his administration so that it would succeed in its mandate committed, adding that by the time the administration commissioned projects in 2021, it would be clear to his critics that he remained committed to transforming the state.
MEANWHILE, the Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the Bill to adopt the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
Since 2015, only14 states of the Federation: Kaduna, Plateau, FCT, Benue, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Cross River had domesticated the Act.
The VAPP Act guaranteed protection of the rights of victims of sexual and gender-based violence in the country, but in spite of advocacy from activists and bodies, several states were yet to domesticate the Act five years after Nigeria agreed to do so.
Curiously, fifteen of the 23 states yet to adopt the Act, representing 65 percent are from the north, six or 26 percent are in the Eastern region, while one is a Southwest state.
Reacting to the development, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Women’s Radio 91.7 FM, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, commended representative of Ogbomosho North constituency, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, who initiated the bill and other members of the House for their solidarity.
Minister for Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who was in Ibadan to support the passage of the bill, said it was a huge step in the right direction.
