As part of this administration’s commitment to keep Oyo state safe and secure, Eng. Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, recommissioned the Oyo State City Watch project and the Crime Alert platform.
The Inuaguration which took place at the Oyo State Security Trust Fund Headquarters, Onireke, Jericho, Ibadan, was against the Governor’s campaign promises to scrap the entire architecture as it was like a “white elephant project”.
However, according to the Governor, he was convinced to give it another shot, which led to the reconfiguration of the entire system.
Speaking on why the project was to be scrapped, the governor said, “Quite frankly, during my campaign, I said I would scrap this whole thing because the way we saw them carry out the project did not look to us like something good compared to the money being spent and committed into it”.
According to him, “The entire system has been reconfigured so that we no longer need to pay internet access fees of N3.5million/month. Also, we have acquired the license for the software for life so no longer need to run the trial version we met. This facility now wholly belongs to Oyo State.”
Speaking on the expanded facilities, Gov. Makinde said the purpose was for the security operatives, including the police and civil defence, to work from there.
In his statement, he said, “At the moment, the cameras in eight locations are working. These include the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road and the Asejire axis. With this system, we can easily monitor human and vehicular traffic and even capture number plates of vehicles.
“Also, a crime alert platform has been built into the Oyo State website. Everyone can log into the website, free of charge, and once they complete the process, with just a press of the button they can alert operatives of robbery, kidnapping or any other crime and their location and visuals will show up on the system.
“Additionally, we have set up a Governor’s Monitoring Unit and a Crime Alert Unit. Vehicles are also positioned at the Security Trust Fund Headquarters so that the operatives can respond in real time to any crime reports”.
While promising adequate priority to the welfare of security agents in the state, the governor said “the platform is a sustainable project that will usher in a safer Oyo State”.
