Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has ordered immediate clearing of bushes on the major highways to stem the spate of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

He urged the residents to always volunteer information to government and security agencies to enable them arrest and prosecute criminals.

Fayemi spoke yesterday at an interfaith thanksgiving at Osuntokun Pavilion of the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, to usher in the New Year.

Represented by Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi, the governor said his administration needed the support of the people to tackle crime and make the state safe for investment.

A statement by the Special Assistant (SA) on Media to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, said special prayers were offered for the success of this year’s general elections, peace, security, progress and development of Ekiti State and Nigeria.

The service was attended by the governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; the deputy governor’s wife, Mrs. Margaret Egbeyemi; House of Assembly Speaker Adeniran Alagbada; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye, traditional rulers, government officials, Christian and Muslim clerics.

Fayemi said work would soon start on abandoned projects across the state.

The governor urged monarchs, chiefs and other residents in various communities to monitor contractors and pace of work.

He said: “We will be clearing the bush on the roadsides in Ekiti State in the next three weeks and criminals hiding in the bushes will be exposed.

“Government has entrusted the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to clear the bushes on our highways and we want our obas and chiefs to monitor the work.

“The security of the state is paramount to us. We want to urge our people to help us about security because this is the business of everyone of us.

“If you know bad people among us, like kidnappers, armed robbers; if you know them or you suspect them, please, let us know.

“You can give us information and we will not expose you for giving us information.”

Fayemi added: “We are going to start working on abandoned projects. The Obas and chiefs should monitor the projects that would be done in their areas.

“Please, supervise all our workers: go there and see what they are doing. If they don’t do it well, tell us and we are going to take action.”

•Sourced from The Nation report