The Oyo State government will spend N3.354 billion on procuring 100 Kia Rio 1.4 car engines and four Kia Optimal vehicles for security agencies operating in the state, an official said.

The state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Musibau Babatunde, disclosed this to journalists after the inaugural meeting of the State Executive Council on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Mr Babatunde said the approval for the vehicles’ purchase was granted during the meeting.

“The Kia Rio cars will be used as patrol vehicles upon procurement and distribution to security agencies across the 33 local government areas (LGAs) to strengthen the state security architecture.

”This is because security remains one of the cardinal agenda of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde under its sustainable development programme to enhance efforts towards tackling criminality,” he said.

The Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Seun Asamu, also announced the government’s approval of N3.2 billion for the operation and maintenance of the state’s Light Up Project.

Mr Asamu said the move would improve economic activities at night and complement the security of the state at night.

“Part of the amount approved will be used to offset the backlog of outstanding on the project and also cover the repair of vandalised cables,” he said.

The commissioner cautioned residents against vandalising public infrastructure, particularly facilities of the Light Up project.

He warned that offenders would be prosecuted in line with statutory laws when caught.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, also disclosed other decisions taken at the meeting.

”It was agreed that the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinola Ojo, should be saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the state economy in the post-fuel subsidy removal era,” he disclosed.

(NAN)