Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo on Monday signed an executive order to protect mining communities in the state against insecurity and exploitation.

Makinde also signed an executive order for the establishment of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

In his remarks, the governor said the signing was to give 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 sometime 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.