Aregbesola
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state yesterday declared that he is not insensitive to the plight of workers on the state government’s payroll.
Aregbesola, in a statement released to newsmen in Osogbo by his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, stated this when the Area Comptroller, Oyo and Osun Command of the Nigerian Customs Services , Mr. Muhammed Bawa, paid him a courtesy visit.
While denying allegations of financial recklessness being leveled against him from various quarters, he claimed that, “no one can establish a single instance of recklessness on the part of this government.”
“This administration remains very sensitive to the welfare of Osun workers. The financial situation of the state that has made it unable for the state government to pay workers’ salary is disheartening and painful,” he noted.
Aregbesola, who further pointed out that an efficient and effective Customs Service was a veritable tool for improving the economy of the nation, stressed that a sure way for the country to protect and expand its economy was by ensuring that local industries are protected adequately by the country’s Customs Service.
He also added that Customs Service was an essential security service for a sovereign state, saying that the Customs Service should be on top of its game by contributing positively to the nation’s economic development.
Aregbesola noted that for the economic development of the sub-region of West Africa to be fast-tracked, there must be a free Customs zone in the sub-region of Africa.
He said, “Nigeria at this time needs an effective and efficient Customs to improve and expand the economy of the country.
“Customs must screen products from foreign countries to ensure that they do not affect the produce and production of our indigenous companies. Doing this will give room for industrialization,” he said.
In an earlier remark, the Area Comptroller of Customs, Oyo and Osun Command, Mr. Muhammed, said his Command came to Osun State to meet with auto-dealers to educate them on how to legally run their business.
He admitted that Osun State, unlike other states, had few cases of illegal importation, being a land-locked state. He however noted that many illegally imported vehicles still find their ways to Osun.
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