The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde signed two executive orders on Monday one of which was to protect mining communities in the state against insecurity and exploitation.
Makinde also signed another executive order for the establishment of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
In his remarks, the Governor said the purpose for signing these was to provide legal backing to the efforts of his administration in the solid mineral and tourism sectors.
He said the two executive orders came against the backdrop of his administration’s decision to drive its economic expansion agenda through tourism development and solid mineral development.
The Governor said: “though mining activity is on the exclusive legislative list, the state government chose to be proactive in ensuring adequate protection of the mining communities against insecurity and exploitation, as well as on the attendant environmental issues.
“For some time now, we have been watching the developments within our mining communities and we have to deal with security challenges around those communities.”
“The second executive order is on the establishment of the ministry of culture and tourism, because culture and tourism is a major pillar in our roadmap for sustainable development, 2023-2027,” he said.