Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has signed the state Anti-Corruption Bill 2019 into law.
He signed the bill on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital.
Recall that the State House of Assembly had passed the bill last week and subsequently forwarded it to the governor for assent.
Recall also that Makinde had stated at the beginning of his administration the state would establish its own anti-corruption agency to ensure accountability and good governance.
Speaking on Wednesday at the signing ceremony, the Governor, stated that if the issue of corruption was taken care, there would be money to develop the state.
Therefore, he said the anti- corruption bill was enacted to guard the resources of the state.
“We know for a fact that if we tackle corruption, we will have enough resources to take care of our people and that is exactly what this law is meant to achieve for us.
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“Corruption kills the society when money meant for projects, salaries and certain developmental initiatives are diverted,” he pointed out.
Makinde further stressed that the Anti- corruption law was not intended to witch-hunt anyone and warned the citizens of the state not to indulge in writing frivolous petitions adding that anyone found guilty of such would face prosecution.
Rather, the governor enjoined citizens to alert the government of any unscrupulous activities.
“I want to implore everybody, the citizens of Oyo State, to say something when they see something and I can give you the assurance that we will act.
“This law is to ensure that due processes are followed in our financial dealings and to ensure our resources are deployed for specific reasons they were appropriated for in the first instance.
“So, it is a new opportunity for us to show the world that we can run a transparent and accountable government. I do hope that nobody here will fall into the trap of corruption.
“So, I want to assure the people of Oyo State that this law will keep us in check, hold us accountable, and if you have anything about any of us, don’t hesitate to bring the facts out and the law will take its full course,” Makinde said.
