Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has deployed Omituntun buses free to ease the movement of residents of the state following the twin crisis of new naira notes and fuel scarcity.

This is contained in a statement by Taiwo Adisa, the chief press secretary to the governor, on Saturday in Ibadan, the state capital.

According to him, the Omituntun Mass Transit Buses would be deployed to more routes within the state for free to ameliorate the sufferings of people.

The governor said his administration was ready to do whatever it could to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

Mr Makinde, however, frowned at the resorting to violent protests by some residents of Ibadan on Friday.

He said while citizens were free to express their feelings peacefully, the government would not condone any resort to violence, adding that resort to violence would breed other problems.

The governor also put all the security agencies operating in the state on high alert to avert any breakdown of law and order.

He urged the people to ensure that they use their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to usher in a responsible government in the forthcoming general elections.

The governor also said the state was working with the local government chairmen to provide immediate palliatives for vulnerable people.

According to him, this is to alleviate the hardships that the twin scarcity of new naira notes and fuel scarcity brought upon them.

He urged all law-abiding citizens and residents of the state to go about their lawful activities peacefully.

“We have another opportunity in a few weeks to move this country in a new direction. Use your PVC, not violence.

“We must not allow elements within us, who have other motives, to take advantage of peaceful protests to perpetrate evil or push their agendas.

“All our security agencies are on high alert and so, peaceful residents of the state have no cause to fear.

“Once again, we have another opportunity to put an end to the oppressive system and that is through the ballot,” Mr Makinde said.

(NAN)