Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Wednesday said actions, policies and projects executed by his administration in the last one year were geared toward promoting good governance.
Makinde said this in his address during the first anniversary of the Ninth House of Assembly.
The governor, who gave account of his stewardship before the lawmakers, said that his administration was on the right track in provision of good governance.
Makinde, who said that he pledged to serve and protect the people of the state when taking the oath of office, reiterated the commitment of his administration toward meeting their expectations.
According to him, the first year in office for every administration is always used to plan and set initiatives in motion.
“But in most cases when the people have voted massively for ideological change, they are in a hurry to see the resolution of issues that affect them.
“There is pressure to hit the ground running and set the ball rolling. I can report to you that these expectations are not lost on us, which is why from the outset, we built our roadmap for accelerated development in Oyo State.
”2019-2023 is built around four pillars: Economy, Education, Healthcare and Security,” he stated.
On COVID-19, the governor said his government’s response to the virus had been based on science, data and logic.
”Government has been careful to ensure that response to the pandemic does not create more problems than the pandemic itself.
“Aside from effecting a partial lockdown, our administration played its part to grow the economy by consistently paying salaries and pensions for March, April and May even though most of the civil servants have been away from work,” he said.
The governor thanked the lawmakers for the sacrifice made in supporting his administration in meeting the obligations of economic growth by taking a 30 per cent cut in their monthly allocations.
On education, he said that the sector continued to be one of the best ways to fight poverty and improve the economy.
“We are aware that having the right infrastructure for education is a necessity. For this, we completed hundreds of infrastructural projects in the education sector.
“You will agree with me that one of the areas that suffered under the COVID-19 climate is the education sector. Schools were among the first places to be shut down and will be among the last to be re-opened.
“We have projected a July 15 date for the resumption of schools. But the date is dependent on the risk situation analysis presently being carried out by the experts.” Makinde said.
On healthcare, the governor said that his government had started a new funding system for primary healthcare.
According to him, part of the N22.5 billion infrastructural loan approved by the lawmakers will go into developing the healthcare sector.
He further disclosed that his administration planned to renovate one Primary HealthCare Centre in each ward in the state.
Mr Debo Ogundoyin, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, in his address, noted that the last one year had brought about unprecedented legislative achievements and innovative law making and Ideas.
He said the house had passed 34 bills, 37 motions and numerous resolutions within one year of its inauguration.
The speaker commended his colleagues for their comportment and doggedness and appreciated Makinde for his “all-round and prompt support to the legislature since its inauguration.”
