By Gbenga Sodeinde
Ekiti state commissioner for Information, Rt Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, has disclosed the reasons why Governor Biodun Oyebanji led government can’t afford to misplace it priorities.
Olatubosun who disclosed that priorities of the Oyebanji led government are execution of projects that would enhance economic benefits and guarantee shared prosperity for the people of the state, added that Ekiti people and their welfares are the main focus of the government and so could not afford to misplace them for any other thing.
Chief Olatunbosun who spoke while receiving in his office members of the correspondents’ chapel in Ekiti state noted that the administration of Biodun Oyebanji was committed to delivering on its campaign promises to the people and will leave no stone unturned to ensure the dividends of democracy for the people.
The commissioner explained further that the government was determined to focus it concentration on amenities that will would have direct benefit and positive impact on the lives of the people like, “intrastate roads, rural roads, roads that lead to farms, markets, schools, hospitals, and that the Independent Power Project that will soon be commissioned is a breakthrough in access to power supply for key institutions of government,” he said.
According to him, governor Oyebanji has the people at the centre of his shared prosperity vision which is anchored on the six pillars agenda crafted to achieve sustainable development across the 16 Local Government Areas.
The commissioner explained that workers, pensioners, artisans, market men and others in the informal sector are feeling the impact of the new administration, soliciting the support of the people in the state.
He said, “Investment in agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, digital technology and financial empowerment of the poor are already yielding positive results and making an appreciable impact in the grassroots economy.
“The recent payment of about N1 billion gratuity to pensioners at once was unprecedented in the history of the state and was in fulfillment of the governor’s promise to give attention to the welfare of retirees and activate gradual payments of a backlog of accumulated entitlements.
“The state government ensures regular payment of workers’ salaries and regular remittance of deductions to their cooperative societies to give them access to loans to execute personal projects, among other worker-friendly policies in recognition of their critical role as the engine room of execution of government policies.”
Olatunbosun stated that the Ekiti Wealth Bill and Start-Up Bill recently passed by the House of Assembly, “ are very key in keeping money in reserve for development purposes and providing funds for school leavers and graduates who cannot be employed by the government.”
The information commissioner therefore advocated the support of the media in articulating the vision, programmes and policies of the state government describing the media as an important partner in delivering good governance to the people which are the priority of the government.