The Osun Masterminds, a civil society organisation has called on the Osun State Government to double its efforts on security in order to restore the peace of the State.
This call was made by the Executive Director of the Organization, Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli at the monthly edition of the State address in Osogbo on Wednesday, the group lamented the worsening state of security in Osun, pointing to recent cases of killings, especially in towns like Ilesa. Though some of these attacks are linked to cultism, they expressed concerns that the State Government might not be doing enough to halt the trend.
They emphasized the need for a secure environment for economic growth and urged both the State Government and security agencies to double their efforts.
He urged the State Government to focus on maintaining and improving key infrastructure, specifically mentioning the Ibadan-Gbongan-Akure highway. They cautioned against plans to construct flyovers at Oke-Fia and Old Garage areas in Osogbo, suggesting simpler and cost-effective solutions like road dualization and traffic signalization. The group also proposed using funds for road widening in towns like Ikirun, Iwo, Ilesa, Ejigbo, and Ila-Orangun.
Oyedokun-Alli called for transparent distribution of palliatives to help residents cope with the effects of subsidy removal. They expressed concern about the State Government’s silence on how the two billion Naira received from the Federal Government would be used.
The group criticized the Commissioner for Information, Barr. Kolapo Alimi, for his undiplomatic choice of words in a recent statement about pensioners who threatened to protest. The group emphasized the need for respect, urging the government to find a compromise with the pensioners.
In conclusion, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, Executive Director of The Osun Masterminds, called for their recommendations to be seen as constructive and urged the government to act quickly for the betterment of the state’s residents. The group vowed to remain committed to timely interventions and promoting good governance.
Reacting to the Civil society organisations claim, The Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi has clarified that the Governor has bolstered efforts by enhancing collaborations between agencies and reforming the Amotekun corps and also developing a comprehensive security architecture, Integrating both formal and informal units.
Addressing infrastructure, Alimi mentioned that the administration is actively addressing the inherited infrastructure deficit, having already constructed over 50 kilometers of roads and numerous bridges. Challenges remain, especially with federal roads, as the national government settles under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Details on road dualisation and flyover bridges will be revealed by Governor Adeleke at the upcoming Ipade Imole event on October 5th. These projects will benefit multiple towns and are designed to be both financially and environmentally sustainable, he stated.
Addressing concerns on subsidy palliatives, Alimi stated that the distribution process is transparent, overseen by a public committee. He highlighted the financial challenges Osun faces, with a debt of almost N100 billion, yet the state is still addressing multiple sector needs, including infrastructure and education.
