By Editor
…. As oyebanji Reiterates Commitment to Patronising Local Contractors
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday took
delivery of 30 Toyota Tacoma Pick up Vans supplied by Ekiti-based motor dealers
with a view to strengthening the operations of the Western Nigeria Security
Network (WNSN) popularly called “Amotekun Corps” to checkmate unscrupulous
elements trying to make the state unsafe.
The Governor said the fact that the vehicles were supplied
by members of Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria(AMDON), Ekiti State
chapter, further attested to the commitment of his administration to full compliance
with the State Local Contents Law which was enacted to strategically shore up
patronage for local contractors and businesses.
Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs)
Monisade Afuye, while taking delivery of the vehicles in Ado Ekiti, promised to
put security measures in full throttle to tackle those who are trying to cause
investment flight in Ekiti by stoking the fire of insecurity.
The Governor, who revealed that the vehicles will be
deployed to strengthen the Amotekun Corps in the bid to curb kidnapping,
banditry and other criminal elements, frowned at the recent killing of two
prominent traditional rulers and abduction of pupils and teachers by suspected
gunmen in the state.
Oyebanji boasted that his government is well mobilized to
wage a serious battle against those who wanted to thwart the peace and calmness
being enjoyed in the state, describing security as essential to radical
development of any subnational.
“Part of our efforts to combat insecurity is the purchase
of these vehicles which will be deployed for the use of the Amotekun Corps.
Other working tools will still be provided for the corps as well as provision
of logistics for the formal security agencies.
“I enjoin our people to assist our law enforcement agencies
with useful information that can lead to the arrest of criminals or stemming
their activities.
“You are assured that such information will be treated with
utmost confidentiality. In the alternative, such information can be passed
through traditional rulers and community leaders who will treat them with dispatch.
“Expectedly, the Amotekun Corps who will use these vehicles
are urged to redouble their efforts at ensuring security of lives and property.
You shouldn’t see yourselves as rivals to formal security agencies, instead,
complement them for maintenance of law and order in our dear state”.
Oyebanji promised that his administration will continually
encourage local contractors and businessmen to thrive and develop, saying:
“this is not the first or second time that Ekiti motor dealers have been
patronised. Jobs that can be properly handled by local contractors won’t be
contracted out to outsiders.
“Our local contractors and businessmen should, therefore,
take this opportunity offered by the state government . Nevertheless, as much
as we are ready to patronise you, the government won’t take shoddy or poorly
executed jobs”.
Applauding the governor for developing the state’s human
resources, AMDON National President, Prince Ajibola Adedoyin and Chairman,
Ekiti chapter, Alhaji Ibrahim Bankole, described Oyebanji as a promise keeper,
for complying with the Local Contents Bill he assented to upon assumption of
office to ensure increased patronage for local businessmen.
They promised to partner the government to make the
relationship symbiotic and mutually beneficial, by ensuring that every contract
awarded to members is done in compliance with specification to sustain the
spirit being demonstrated by the governor.
The businessmen appealed to Governor Oyebanji to donate a
parcel of land to AMDON, for the construction of modern Automat to boost motor
dealing business in Ekiti.
They said: “This is the first Governor that will be
attending to our needs and patronising us this way. Governor Oyebanji has given
our members the deserved recognition. We are assuring him, all the vehicles we
are going to supply will be of good qualities”.
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