Ekiti Council Boss Hails Emergence Of Ekiti As Overall Best in Accountability, Transparency Index.

Ekiti Council Boss Hails Emergence Of Ekiti As Overall Best in Accountability, Transparency Index.

By: Sunday Olatunji. 

The Executive chairman of Ado -Central Local Council Development Area, Ado Ekiti, Engr.Toyin Ojo, has hailed the emergence of Ekiti State as first in terms of compliance with  transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and implementation of public policies in the 36 states of the federation.

The Chairman described the ranking as a reflection of a  commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to good governance since he assumed office .

This is contained in a  statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Information and Civil Orientations of the LCDA, Mr Sunday Olatunji, saying the ranking of Ekiti as  first among the states of the federation spoke volumes of administration that places high premium on giving its citizens unrestricted  access to vital information regarding governance, public finance, budget and government audited accounts.

The council boss lauded the Governor for doing the State proud among the comity of states by passing the integrity test of governance .

The Center for Fiscal Transparent and Integrity Watch Index yesterday released its 2023 index annual assessment of 36 states of the federation, taking into account the six key areas in assigning the scores which included open budget, accessibility, public procurement, human resources, anti- corruption and citizens engagement.

According to the report, it was revealed that Ekiti, Kaduna and Ondo states occupy the foremost positions as the three most compliant states with Ekiti State securing the highest score at 61.32% earning it the top rank. At the lower end of the complaint spectrum are Ogun, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states respectively .

Engineer Ojo, said  it was not surprising that Ekiti State emerged first among states of the federation considering  all the parameters deployed by the Center (TII) to arrive at the ranking.

"any Ekiti people, especially the keen watchers of various developmental strides  and programmes being witnessed in the state would concur that the State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi has been steadily keeping faith with his campaign promises of running open, transparent and all inclusive government".

The statement reads in part "I want to rejoice with Mr. Governor for attaining this lofty feat .The ranking of Ekiti State as overall best in Nigeria after critical and thorough assessment of all the states of the federation in terms of compliance with the Transparency and Integrity Index variables, further lends credence to the reason Governor Biodun Abayomi's  administration has decided not to tamper with funds meant for the local governments in the state .And that's why critical projects of development are seen every where in Ekiti today .

The council chairman therefore called on the people of the State to continue to render necessary supports to the Governor for him to be able to continue  projecting the image of the state positively through implementation of  the people- oriented programmes and policies .