The Oyo State Government has cautioned property owners in the state to beware of fraudulent individuals parading themselves and extorting money as government Task Force members, saying that adequate measures are being taken to checkmate this worrisome activity.
The government said that its representatives are equipped with relevant documents and identification to distinguish them as genuine government officials and they do not have the mandate to request or extort money from individuals or groups’ property owners.
The Director General of the Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control, Tpl Waheed Gbadamosi, who gave this charge on Wednesday in Ibadan, explained that it has come to the notice of the State Government that some people are moving about parading themselves as the Government Task Force and extorting money from members of the public if they cannot provide documents requested from them.
He noted that the Government’s Task Force Team are only mandated to check for necessary documents from property owners and they do not have the right to request for money.
Tpl Gbadamosi therefore appealed to members of the public to beware of these fraudulent individuals, urging that they should visit the Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control for more Information if they are in doubt of the identity and veracity of the people that visit them.
Similarly, the government has assured that it will continue to synergize with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), noting that the agency is critical to the ongoing infrastructural development in the state.
Receiving the new sector command of FRSC, Oyo Sector Commander, Corps Commander Cecilia Alao in his office on Wednesday, the State Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade explained that the ongoing infrastructural development is geared towards safety of lives and properties, saying that the government will improve on the relationship between the commission and the state government to sustain the positive development in the state.
Eniade disclosed further that Oyo state has been playing a very important role in the area of Special Marshal Corps in which notable personalities of the state are active members, urging that the corps should intensify efforts on the area of advocacy to enlighten citizens on the rules and regulations regarding road safety.
He therefore enjoined FRSC to re-introduce the road safety Clubs in Secondary Schools and higher Institutions in order to enhance understanding of road safety ethics.
Earlier, the sector Commander of FRSC, Corps Commander Cecilia Alao hinted that the purpose of the visit was to familiarize with the state government and seek more collaboration to enlighten people on road safety.
She noted that safety on roads is a collective responsibility that requires the support and efforts of all and sundry.