Security: Kogi Gov. directs removal of shanties, closure of brothels »

…..asks traditional councils, LG chair to cleanse their locality of criminality

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has directed that shanties which often served as temporary dwellings particularly for factory workers in areas like Obajana, Okaba, Osara/Sango, Itobe and some part of the capital must be removed immediately.

The governor who gave this directive on Tuesday in a meeting with First Class Traditional Rulers, The 21 Local Government Chairmen, State Police Commissioner, government officials and other stakeholders also ordered the immediate closure of brothels all across the state.

Governor Bello decried prolonged issues of land disputes in some areas asking that traditional rulers, respective ministries should find ways to resolve them while he called on traditional councils to meet with land trustees in their respective areas and register them in their council/LGA. He similarly directed them alongside the various local government chairmen to cleanse their locality of every form of criminality within one month.

According to the governor, these measures alongside several other directives, including the banning of public, incessant use of Face covers were all in a bid to ensure the continued safety of citizens of the state and the need to put further measures in place in that regards.

He similarly asked the Ministry of Local Government, concerned stakeholders and unions to see to the immediate registration of all commercial tricycle and motorbike across the state. The governor also called for the regulation of their usage across the state, warning that failure to do so might lead to the ban of their operations.

The governor notified that factories or companies must provide decent accommodations, transportation for their workers noting that temporary settlements and shanties expose the state and its citizens to dangers warning also that failure to comply might lead to a shut down.

He asserted that trailer parks must also be well organized in a bid to avoid situations where travelers along such routes are delayed. The governor opined that criminals hide in such areas, spy and identify their victims before ambushing them while on their journey.

The Governor charged all Local Government Chairmen to up their games, noting that he was confident they could secure their respective territories, but would not relent to show any failed Local Government Chiefs the way out, for competent individuals to work for the people.

Governor Bello sent strong warnings to politicians irrespective of their political affiliation about their conduct while he also advised them not to involve themselves in any act that could disrupt the peace and orderliness enjoyed in the state.