…Ekiti Independent Power Project set for commissioning
…Offsets Workers’ Salary Arrears Inherited
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, had several good news to share with the people of the state as he rendered account of stewardship of the giant strides made by his administration in the last 100 days.
At a Special Stakeholders’ Engagement to commemorate the 300 days of his administration in office held in Omuo Ekiti on Monday, Oyebanji assured the people of the state of his commitment to purposeful leadership and execution of policies that will better their lives.
The Governor took time to brief the people of more achievements his administration recorded within the time it celebrated 200 days in office on May 12 till now across the six pillars which include Human Capital Development, Infrastructure and Industrialization, Governance, Agriculture and Rural Development, Youth Development and Job Creation and Arts, Culture and Tourism.
The Governor said he is working round the clock to ensure that all segments of the population benefit from the Shared Prosperity vision of his administration emphasizing that “Ekiti should not be a poster of poverty.”
He stressed that prosperity can be shared among the people of the state by ensuring their equitable access to the Ekiti commonwealth, live decent lives and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
The town hall meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye; First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye and fellow lawmakers; state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotoso; members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, labour leaders and other interest groups.
Delivering his address which were intermittently interjected with eulogies and praises from the segments of the audience, Oyebanji revealed that his administration has defrayed all arrears of salaries of civil servants and local government workers met on ground.
According to him, the sum of N6.5 billion was paid as salary to civil servants and teachers between April and July while N2.3 billion was paid as pension to retirees of the state civil service and one month pension arrears was paid to local government pensioners within the same period.
Within the period, the Governor stated that N800 million one month subvention was released to tertiary institutions; N400 million paid to offset outstanding obligations to contractors of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); N117 million to 1,950 beneficiaries under the Social Transfer Component of Ekiti State Cash Transfer Unit and N24 million relief materials distributed to victims of rainstorm disaster in Oke Ako and Ijesa Isu.
He explained that his administration has paid counterpart funds to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to pave way for renovation works in public schools which he said would commence next week.
The Governor said the intervention of his administration has succeeded in controlling flooding in critical areas in Ado and Ikere which has brought relief to the people adding that attention would now be focused on other local government areas based on action plans to be worked out with the councils.
Oyebanji disclosed that the 3.5 Megawatts Independent Power Project (IPP) commenced under the immediate past administration led by Dr. Kayode Fayemi has been completed and would be commissioned in September to ensure uninterrupted power supply in government offices, ministries and will be extended to the state university.
He noted that bursary and scholarship to Ekiti students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels for 2023/2024 has been paid while bursary was also paid to 167 Ekiti indigenes studying at the Nigerian Law School
The Governor told his audience that the Ado Ekiti City Bus Terminal which was also started under the Fayemi Administration has been completed noting that proper arrangements would be made with transport unions in the state to put the facility to efficient use before it is inaugurated.
In health sector, the Governor explained that 17 Emergency Operation Centres have been established in all the local government areas while 177 Primary Health Centres have been renovated with N1million each released to them to purchase drugs and other materials needed.
He said his administration has spent over N1 billion to reconnect communities in Ayekire and Ekiti East Local governments back to the National Grid adding that the Agricultural Processing Zone is also being connected to aid operations of processing factories located there and to attract more investors.
The Governor who equally gave account on ongoing road projects which are at various stages of completion but were slowed down by rain said the roads were being constructed to contribute to the economy of the state and businesses of residents and investors.
Oyebanji equally reported that N24.5 million was disbursed as Conditional Credit/Matching Grants; N28.8 million as Operational Supporting Grants and N13.1 million as Conditional Grants to Support IT-Enhancement under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He also revealed that over 100 projects have been completed and delivered in the local governments and local council development areas for the benefits of the people in the grassroots within the last three months.
Dwelling on issues on security, the Governor said he is not happy with security situation in Ekiti South senatorial district noting that the state security outfit, Amotekun, would be further empowered to scale up its operations and work in tandem with other security agencies to rid the communities of crime in the state.
The Governor said it was fulfilling for him to have posted remarkable achievements within the period without a full cabinet noting that the feat has imposed a challenge on the newly appointed Commissioners to work selflessly for the people of the state while also urging the populace not to put much pressure on them.
Oyebanji maintained that judging by the abundant human resources, Ekiti has no reason to be poor revealing that a special funding scheme would soon be rolled out for market women, artisans and owners of small businesses for the wealth of the state to be shared for the good of the people.
He said: “We campaigned on the mantra of continuity and shared prosperity and if we have people who have these characteristics of being truthful, honest, hardworking and have integrity, should they be poor?
“We should not be a poster of poverty; prosperity can be shared among the people. We may not be equal but whatever we work we do, we must be able to build houses, train our children and live decent lives.
“Arriving our destination cannot be immediate; the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step and by the grace of God we shall get there.”
While explaining that he sees himself as the employee of Ekiti people because their votes brought him into office, Oyebanji promised to continue to give account to the people and would never renege on the promise.
“Why giving feedback every 100 days? After elections, it is common not to see government officials again but when I came on board, I promised to always come to you and discuss together and by the end of this tenure, we would have taken it to the three senatorial districts twice.
“The Commissioner for Special Duties will sit down with teachers and local government workers and work out plans to organize interactions like this with them. I want to specially thank teachers and local government workers for their support for this administration, the Governor said.
Representatives of people living with disabilities, market women, religious leaders, youths and other interest groups commended the Governor on the achievements recorded so far and also used the forum to table their demands.
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