We’ll make transparency our watchword in Oyo — Gov Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has pledged that his
administration’s watchword will remain openness and transparency
throughout his tenure.
Governor Makinde, who stated this while receiving a delegation of the
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) led by Mrs. Bukola Smith,  who paid
him a courtesy call in his Office, Secretariat, Ibadan said that Oyo
State was open to business that breeds development.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr.
Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Governor as saying that he would conduct the
business of governance in the state in an open and transparent manner
in order to bring the desired development to the State.
The Governor said: “Oyo State is open for business and we try to take
a different trajectory from what we have been used to in the past.
What we are doing is very simple. It’s just to be open and
transparent; these are our watchwords.
“We want to conduct government business in an open and transparent manner.”
He added that his administration was ready to partner with any
organisation whose proposal would bring value to the Government and
the people of the state.
Governor Makinde assured the FCMB team that his government would give
equal opportunities to all banks, urging the team to be comfortable in
making their proposition.
He stated  that the working proposal submitted by the team would be
studied and acted upon accordingly, saying: “You don’t have to lobby
anybody if what you have in your proposal is good and is able to bring
value to the Government and people of Oyo State. Of course, we will be
open and discuss it with you. If we have issues that we are not clear
about, we will put them on the table.
“So, you should really be comfortable dealing with us, because we will
definitely give you equal opportunity with other banks. We don’t have
any preference for any bank. We are value-driven. If there is value on
the table, we will deal with.”
The Governor appreciated the support received from the FCMB during the
just-concluded retreat organised for the top functionaries and
political appointees in the state held at the International Institute
of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Earlier, the leader of the team, Mrs Bukola Smiths, who is also the
Executive Director of FCMB, said the visit was to intimate the
governor with the products of the bank.
Smiths noted that the visit was also to rejoice with the governor on
his victory at the Election Petitions Tribunal, adding that the bank
recognised achievements recorded so far by the new administration.
She said the bank was ready to partner with Governor Makinde and see
how to help to make him achieve his administration’s objectives in
areas such as health, education, security and industry.
“FCMB has great skills in those areas and we will like to bring these
skills here to help you achieve your various objectives,” she said.