Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun says the Southwest Security Network, Amotekun, will commence operation in the state this month(January).
The governor disclosed this in his New Year broadcast to the citizens on Friday, adding that its emergence would complement efforts of other security agencies, especially in the area of community policing.
He said the new security outfit would be headed by a Retired Commissioner of Police, as its Commandant.
He said, “Our Amotekun Security Network will also take off this month to complement the efforts of other security agencies including the community policing of the Nigeria Police.
“An experienced and reputable retired Commissioner of Police has been appointed as the Commandant, and the recruitment of personnel is ongoing.”
Apart from Amotekun, the governor added that his administration would commence the implementation of Residents Identification Cards, to provide a reliable database of the people living in the state to ensure adequate planning.
He added that the State Health Insurance Scheme, which he had allocated N100m seed fund, will take off in the first quarter of 2021.
He equally reiterated that he would deepen deepen his administration’s focus on Infrastructure, Social welfare and well-being, Education, Youth empowerment and job creation and Agriculture (ISEYA Agenda) this year.
Governor Abiodun said the second phase of 150 units of houses at the Prince Court Estate, Kemta, Abeokuta and other housing projects at Kobape, Sagamu, Ilaro, Ota, Ijebu-Ode and Iperu, would be completed in the year in review.
He pointed out that the year 2021 Budget size of N338.6bn tagged ‘Budget of Recovery and Sustainability’ he just signed, would ensure strategic allocation of resources to different sectors of the economy.
He further noted that his administration had in 2019 laid a solid foundation with the hope of actualising its vision but it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic which struck the country with the state having the index case.
However, he said despite the setbacks as the result of the pandemic, the state recorded achievements in housing, health, agriculture, education and youth employment.
While he said the contract for the construction of 165.30km of roads across the state had been awarded, rehabilitation and palliative on 88.60km of roads were on-going.
He added that the administration had built and rehabilitated over 954 classrooms in public schools and the introduced Virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Abiodun added that work was on-going at the various legacy projects including the NNPC- Kuto, Kuto Bridge, Ilaro-Owode and Oluwalogbon-Imowo-Ejirin roads, likewise on the Osi-Ikole-Navy road in Ota, Ashafa- Oke Fusigboye-Molipa road in Ijebu-Ode, Oba Erinwole road Sagamu and access road around Odo Afa Bridge in Idiroko, Ipokia.
He called on stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious, community leaders and the media to help in sensitising the people of the severity of the second wave of COVID-19, adding “that his administration remained focused despite the virus as it was deliberate, systematic, methodical, inclusive and structured in responses which helped in confronting the many challenges of last year.”