The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has declared that he bears no grudge against the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, over the location of the Police Mobile Force, Ago-Are, in Oke Ogun axis of the state.
Oba Adeyemi, who stated this on Wednesday June 10, 2020 while receiving the governor on a courtesy visit, added that if he had any grudge, he would have communicated it to the governor.
Makinde was in Oyo town to commission the newly renovated and equipped Primary Health Care Centre in Aafin Oyo.
Oba Adeyemi said, “Your Excellency, whatever you can do, do it. The conception of the primary health care system was developed in Russia. So, I understand too well that it is a policy that can be maintained and sustained if there the government has the will. We want good governance for the people and we will support you by God’s grace. We will continue to back you so that you can progress as you move this state forward”.
Speaking, Makinde stated that within the next three years, his administration would revitalise at least 351 Primary Health Care in the state, pointing out that his administration decided to give priority to Primary Health Care centres because they are the closest to the people.
He maintained that with the state having about 721 PHCs, which are mostly not in good condition, it is the focus of his government to, at least, revitalise one PHC per ward subject.
Makinde equally stated that that the effort to renovate and equip the PHCs was already on, with the remodelling and equipment of Oranyan Primary Health Care, Ibadan; ALGON Comprehensive Health Centre, Eyin Grammar, Ibadan and the Aafin Oyo PHC.
He noted that the state is providing N1billion to start the campaign to revitalise the PHCs, while it has also put an agreement in place to find means, on a monthly basis, to continue the campaign.
“Out of the 721 health care facilities that we have, I don’t think 10 per cent of them are useful. So, we set a very tough task for ourselves. Within the time frame given to this administration, you will get, in every ward in Oyo State, standard primary health care facilities like this. We have commissioned that of Oranyan and another one at Eyin Grammar. We have this one coming on board and another one is in Awe, but we need money to do this. We have been looking at the pocket of the government. To start with, we are providing N1billion to start the campaign and we have also put an agreement in place to find means, on a monthly basis, to continue that campaign. We have asked the local government service commission, being its responsibility, that 7.5 per cent of its statutory allocation should be dedicated to primary health care centres”.
The governor maintained that the state would be putting in place the Primary Health Care Authority in the next few weeks in line with the extant laws on PHC.
Seeking the support of the residents of the state, Makinde noted that his intention was to look after the welfare of the majority, urging the people to go out for Community-Based Testing for COVID-19 and to heed the directive of the administration on precautions against the virus.
