Ondo residents task Akeredolu on security, electricity, others in second term

Residents of Okitipupa Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State have urged Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to build on his past success during his second term.

It was reported that Akeredolu and Lucky Ayedatiwa were sworn-in as governor and deputy governor for the second term on Wednesday in Akure.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with our reporter on Thursday in Okitipupa, urged the governor to prioritise security of lives and property of residents, as well as work hard to restore electricity back to Okitipupa LGA and its environs.

Mr Banji Ayenuro, a trader who congratulated Akeredolu on his second term, said that security of lives and property of residents must remain his utmost priority.

“Akeredolu must not rest on his oars but ensure that security of lives and property of residents are guaranteed by financing the Amotekun Corps to wipe out criminal activities in Okitipupa and the state at large,” he said.

Mrs Oladuni Bolarimwa, a hairdresser, told our reporter that unavailability of power in Okitipupa LGA for almost a decade had driven her out of business, with her now selling beverages.

She said that many artisans in the area were also out of business, urging the governor to ensure that electricity is restored to Okitipupa and its environs, to make life more meaningful for them.

Mr Bayo Ikuemelo, a politician, said that many youths in the state were unemployed, which was partly responsible for their restiveness and violence, especially during the last EndSARS protests.

“Youths set most of our inheritance on fire in Okitipupa during the last EndSARS protest, this is because of unemployment, I appeal to Akeredolu to create more jobs for our youths for them to shun violence,” Ikuemelo said.

Miss Folasade Akinbola, a student, urged Akeredolu to give priority to education in the state, for the state tertiary institution to compete favourably with its peers in the country.

“Education remain the best legacy, I therefore implore the governor to pay more attention to education by paying our lecturers their full salaries as well as full subvebtion as and when due for our tertiary institutions to compete well with their peers in the country,” she said.

A farmer, Chief Richard Enikuomehin, urged Akeredolu to find lasting solution to herdsmen excesses which was taking its toll on most plantations, with farmers afraid of going back to the farm.

He said that if their excesses were not curtailed, it might lead to serious food shortage which would result in hunger in the state.

A commercial motorcyclist, Mr Fidelis Uche, said that Akeredolu should prevail on the government officials who give them frivolous tickets which was affecting their business and families.

Mrs Comfort Akinyelure, a market woman, also urged Akeredolu to ensure timely payment of salaries to workers for them to patronise market women

She said that the half payment of salaries recently was affecting their businesses as many customers were buying foodstuff and others on credit and not paying back on time.