Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde has stressed the urgent importance of safety of lives and properties of the residents.
The governor while flagging-off the distribution of 15,000 free reflective jackets to commercial motorcycle riders in the state said that the exercise was to ensure safety and adequate security of all citizens in the state.
Makinde who spoke through the commissioner for budget and economic planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde noted that security of lives and properties was one of the strategic pillars in the roadmap for sustainable development 2023-2027.
The governor at the ceremony organised by the Management Information Centre, Office of the Governor, held at the Western Hall, Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, added that the initiative was to reduce miscreants and all other forms of criminality in the state, who were parading as motorcycle riders but were known for evil deeds.
He noted that the reflective jackets have a unique identifier and a barcode and that each commercial motorcycle rider had been registered with the Oyo State Health Insurance agency.
The governor stressed that the first phase of the distribution would be closely monitored and evaluated to know the level of adherence, stressing that non- compliance to wearing of the reflective jackets is punishable.
He said: “If you recollect, one of the strategic pillars of the current administration is security of lives and property of the citizens of the state. Some time ago, we brought up the programme of residents registration exercise in the state, which encompasses all the citizens of the state.
“So, to further actualise the process, the governor is also bringing up another initiative towards securing the lives and properties of the citizens of Oyo State by distributing reflective jackets to all commercial motorcycle riders in Oyo State.
“15,000 of the jackets have been given free of charge so that we can actually be able to monitor the activities of commercial motorcyclists in the state.’’
