Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, has proposed a rail line connecting thecapitals of south-west states as part of a broader strategy to enhance securityand regional connectivity. The organisation also called on south-west governors toempower the regional security outfit, Amotekun, to curb the rising wave ofinsecurity in the region. The call came during Afenifere’s caucus and generalmeetings, held on Monday and Tuesday at the residence of Reuben Fasoranti, thegroup’s leader in Akure, Ondo state. In a communique signed by Jare Ajayi, national publicitysecretary, the organisation expressed deep concern over escalating acts ofbanditry and kidnapping, which it said were “now occurring almost on a dailybasis” across the south-west. “Afenifere is very concerned that banditry and kidnappingare now so rampant that they are occurring in the south-west almost on a dailybasis,” the communique reads. “The meeting considered this unacceptable and called ongovernments, security agencies, and community leaders to rise to the challengeand find lasting solutions to the menace. “The meeting sympathised with Oluabo of Ilu Abo, HRM Oba OluFalae, the people of Ilu-Abo, and the Ondo State government over the terror actthat took place on Sunday night. “Expressing serious concern over acts of terrorism occurringin various parts of Yorubaland, participants called for urgent action to put astop to the unfortunate incidents. “In this light, we call on state governors in the Southwestto empower the security outfit, Amotekun. “We also appeal to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the stategovernments to expedite action on the much-vaunted State Police. “The body also called on these governors to develop a railline project that will link the capitals of Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, andEkiti States. “The rail line and effective security cauldron can also beextended to Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta States, in alignment with thegovernments of those states.” The organisation also commended the federal government forthe construction and reconstruction of roads while appealing for fastercompletion in various parts of the country. Afenifere also commented on the newly implemented tax lawsby the federal government. “Note was taken that the intention of the government withthe tax laws is, among other things, to relieve low-income earners of financialburdens,” the communique added. “But the way it is presently structured, low-income earnersare likely to be at the receiving end. “In this regard, we are pleading that the threshold ofN800,000 be raised generously so as to enable more low-income earners tobenefit.” The tax committee has repeatedly said that the newly enactedtax laws are designed to protect low-income earners.
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