The Oyo State Executive Council has approved the immediate procurement of two surveillance aircraft, valued at N7,763,360,000, to bolster security across the state.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, following the council’s meeting held on Tuesday.
The statement explained that the two DA 42 MNG model aircraft are for “Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations, and equipped with sophisticated surveillance gadgets capable of identifying targets from both high and low altitudes.”
“The two aircraft already procured cost N7,763,360,000 and will effectively back up Amotekun and other security forces in the State to prevent and destroy bandits in their hideouts,” the statement added.
The statement added that the aircraft would assist security agencies in tackling banditry, illegal mining, and kidnapping across the state’s vast landmass.
On the choice of fixed-wing aircraft over helicopters, the statement noted that the “DA 42 MNG models are less expensive to maintain, the spare parts are accessible and also as the Nigerian Air Force possesses a number of the model, which gives room for synergy.”
The council also approved additional funding for major infrastructure projects, including N83,037,000,000 for the completion of the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project.
The statement added that the aircraft would assist security agencies in tackling banditry, illegal mining, and kidnapping across the state’s vast landmass.
On the choice of fixed-wing aircraft over helicopters, the statement noted that the “DA 42 MNG models are less expensive to maintain, the spare parts are accessible and also as the Nigerian Air Force possesses a number of the model, which gives room for synergy.”
The council also approved additional funding for major infrastructure projects, including N83,037,000,000 for the completion of the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project.
According to the statement, the fund will cover the construction of bridges, interchanges, and the clearing of the Northeast and Southwest segments of the 110-kilometre road, especially around Molarere, Odo-Oba, and the Abiola Ajimobi Technical University axis.
The government assured that 72 kilometres of the road would be completed before the end of Governor Seyi Makinde’s tenure.
Other approvals include N36,346,000,000 for the asphaltic improvement of Secretariat Road, Trans Amusement–UI–Sango Road, and Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Road; and N6,801,000,000 for the reconstruction of the Mobil–Oluyole Industrial Estate road network.
Additionally, the council approved N595,000,000 for direct intervention in operations and maintenance of the Light-up Oyo Solar Project, with a monthly allocation of N190,000,000 for ongoing maintenance.
