Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has taken a significant step to safeguard mining communities in the state. On Monday, he put pen to paper on an executive order aimed at protecting these communities from insecurity and exploitation. Additionally, Makinde signed another executive order to establish the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
In his address, the Governor highlighted that the purpose of these executive orders is to provide legal support to his administration’s initiatives in the solid mineral and tourism sectors. He emphasised that these orders align with the state government’s strategy to drive economic growth through tourism and solid mineral development.
Speaking about the first executive order, Governor Makinde stated, “Even though mining activity is on the exclusive legislative list, the state government has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of the mining communities. This includes protecting them from exploitation and addressing environmental concerns.” He further added, “We have been closely monitoring the situation in our mining communities and have been addressing the security challenges they face.”
Regarding the second executive order, he explained, “The establishment of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is a crucial step in our plan for sustainable development. Culture and tourism play a vital role in our roadmap for sustainable development, 2023-2027.”