- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday took delivery of 30 Toyota Tacoma Pick up Vans supplied by motor dealers based in the state to strengthen the operations of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed “Amotekun Corps” and checkmate unscrupulous elements trying to make the state unsafe.
Oyebanji said the fact that the vehicles were supplied by members of Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria(AMDON), Ekiti State chapter, further attested to how committed his administration is to fully comply with the State Local Contents Law 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 a sinequanon 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 despatch.
“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”.
