By Wasiu Owolewa, Ado-Ekiti
The Executive Governor of Ekiti state and Chairman, Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum, His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi has embarked on engagement and enlightenment with various interest groups in Ekiti state on achievements in office in the last three years.
The program tagged, “Ekiti Civic Engagement” began in Ado-Ekiti yesterday at Adetiloye hall in attendance of representatives of various interest groups which include artisans, transporters, market women, associations, political parties and other stakeholders.
The Governor through his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi during an interactive session with the interest groups said he was always in pursuit of development partners to lift the state economy in defiance of the global financial challenges.
Governor Fayemi also made it known to the gathering that measures had been put in place to ensure that no ongoing project is abandoned or left undone.
He pointed out that the airport project would be completed before the expiration of the tenure of his administration
The Governor furthered that the College of Agriculture and Technology in Isan Ekiti had been upgraded to Polytechnic status to further drive agribusiness, make agriculture more attractive to the youths and boost food security in the state.
He said: “There is need for us to always reach out to development partners and that is why we go out and attract them to the state to assist us in our developmental strides and we are already seeing the results.
“Our partnership with development partners at a time we are facing financial challenges in our country and in other parts of the state had resulted in investment in the key sectors of the state economy and infrastructure development.
“This also helped us to fund projects like Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo-Ijan Road, Oye-Ayede-Iye-Ikun Road, Aramoko-Erijiyan Road, Agbado-Ode-Isinbode-Omuo Road and the Ekiti Airport project which will assist our investment drive and create more jobs.”
He noted that the interface became necessary to let the people know what the government is doing and to track the extent to which the five-pillar agenda of his administration has been implemented to their benefit.
The Governor also charged the people to be more security-conscious and always report suspicious individuals and activities to security agencies and traditional rulers to complement government efforts to make the state safe for living and legitimate businesses.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Biodun Omoleye, disclosed that the Ekiti Civic Engagement would be taken to all local government areas in the state as a mark of the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, probity,y transparency and accountability to the people.
It was also an opportunity to shed light on various empowerment programs and other human capital development initiatives given to the various segments of the populace in Ekiti.
Some of the projects facilitated by the government’s partnership with development partners include the resuscitated Ikun Dairy Farm, Rice Mills in Ado Ekiti, Cassava Processing Plant in Oke Ako-Irele axis, rehabilitation of major dams, exclusive construction of interstate roads, ongoing Agro Cargo Airport, among others.
The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, who was represented by the Asha of Ado Ekiti, Chief Kayode Ogunleye, lauded the initiative and achievements so far recorded by the Fayemi Administration.
The traditional ruler commended the government for the creation of new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ado Ekiti which he notes would bring governance and development nearer to the people.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Enlightenment and Engagement, Hon(Mrs) Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko, said the forum was a communication strategy in community engagement urging more cooperation with the government.
Some government officials who addressed the gathering on the achievements recorded in their ministries included Commissioners for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye; Arts, Culture and Tourism, Prof. Ojo Bakare; Agriculture, Dr. Olabode Adetoyi; Women Affairs, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade and Director General Medium Enterprises Development Agency, Otunba Kayode Fasae.
Representatives of interest groups like market women, transport unions, community leaders, artisans, professional associations were given opportunities to speak on the policies, programmes and projects of the administration.