Oyo anti-open grazing task force will begin soon - Governor Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said his administration will inaugurate a task force to implement the ban on open grazing in the state in the next six to eight weeks.

The governor stated this in Ogbomoso during a town hall meeting in commemoration of the second anniversary of the government at the Soun Ogunlola Hall, Oja-Igbo, Ogbomoso, adding that open grazing was illegal in the state.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as also assuring the people that his government would soon create an alternative road to the Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway, a federal road which he said has been under construction for long.

He said, “In Oyo State, open grazing is against the law. The implementation plan will come out within the next six to eight weeks. So, to my brother from Oriire who spoke about open grazing, the task force will not be for Oriire alone, it will cut across Oyo State.

“So, whoever goes against the law in this state will face the wrath of the law and that is just it.

“And concerning all the requests on road construction, we will plan ahead. Some of these projects will be included in the budget that we are going to come up with next year because we have to work with the fund in government coffers.

“When you engage with our team on a budget, which will be going round very soon, make sure some of these roads are mentioned and I give you my promise that we will do all we can to ensure the right things are done.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, said that the town hall meeting was held to gauge the feelings of the people of Oyo State on the performance of the administration and also see what other areas it would need to address.