Highlights of Ekiti State Executive Council Meeting.

Highlights of Ekiti State Executive Council Meeting.

Highlights of the State Executive Council Meeting of 30th May, 2024.

1. EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT APPROVES N165.5MILLION FOR CONTINUATION OF DESILTATION TO PREVENT FLOODING

Ekiti State Executive Council approved a sum of N165,554,230 for the desiltation of silted drains, culverts and access slabs in Ado, Ikere and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Areas.

The approval is in furtherance of the continuous intervention of the Oyebanji administration in the dredging of waterways and desiltation of all hydraulic infrastructures including dams, reservoirs, canals, watercourses, culverts, bridges and other flood control structures across the State but particularly in Ado Ekiti metropolis.

The proactive intervention of the administration has overtime mitigated potential impact of flood as the administration has ceaselessly engaged in precautionary measures to prevent flood since December 2022.

It is however, pertinent to urge residents to support efforts of Government at safeguarding lives and property of people in the State by shunning acts that may be inimical to Government’s flood prevention initiatives such as erecting structures on waterways, dumping waste and refuse on drainages and obstruction of canals.

2. EKSG APPROVES N268MILLION FOR REHABILITATION OF HOUSING ROUNDABOUT TO PRISON JUNCTION ROAD

The State Executive Council also approved N268,173,885 for the rehabilitation of the Housing Roundabout to Prison Junction road in Ado Ekiti.

The development is in fulfilment of the desire of the State Government to strategically maintain roads and ensure that main roads in the State capital and other major towns in the State are constantly in good condition and very motorable.

The job will be carried out through direct labour by the Ekiti State Public Works Corporation and expected to be completed within six months.

3. EKITI GOVT. APPROVES N301.98MILLION FINAL TRANCHE COMPENSATION ON AIRPORT ACQUISITION

The State Executive Council approved the payment of a sum of N301,980,608.11 as the second and last tranche of compensation to the remaining 377 claimants whose crops and structures were affected by the Airport acquisition process.

While the present administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is passionate about improving existing infrastructure and initiating new projects for economic advancement to the benefit of the people as enshrined in the Infrastructure and Industrial Development agenda of the administration, the State Government remains committed to ensuring that the original owners of crops and structures affected by the laudable projects are properly compensated.

The amount approved was premised on the report of the consultant, Jimosaf Resources Limited, engaged by the State Government to undertake the enumeration of affected properties.

The State Government under the immediate past Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi had in March, 2021 paid a sum of N500 million to 700 land owners whose lands were acquired for the Airport project.

To further ensure proper handling of the payment of the compensation, the State Executive Council constituted a committee tagged “Airport Land Compensation payment verification Committee” comprising the State Commissioner for Budget, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo; the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko; Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investments, Mrs. Tayo Adeola; Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, (BPP), Mr. James Folorunso and the Director General of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr. Moyo Ekundayo.

4. EKITI ENGAGES CONSULTANT TO CARRY OUT NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF URBAN PIPELINE WATER NETWORK

As part of the sector reforms aimed at improving the management and delivery of sustainable water supply services to the State under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme, the State Executive Council approved the engagement of a consultant to carry out a Needs Assessment of Urban Pipeline Water Network in the State.

The Executive Council also approved a sum of N90million for the assignment and seven months completion period.

ALSO READ Breaking! Ekiti ADP Dep. Governoship Candidate Defects To APC With 20,000 Followers 

5. EKITI EXCO APPROVES N150,000,000 FOR PROCUREMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF AGRIC INPUT TO FARMERS

Ekiti State Executive Council similarly approved N150million for the procurement and distribution of improved seeds, agrochemicals, fertilizers amongst others to farmers in the State.

The focus is to support the agricultural sector of the State by actively stimulating the production side of the value chain through provision of inputs to farmers as well as serve as the State’s contribution to the Federal Government Agro Pocket Scheme, a programme aimed at supporting national agriculture growth and increasing food production.

The State Government had earlier approved a sum of N450million as the State’s support for the scheme but due to the delay from the Federal Government on input distribution, the approval of the N150million is to ensure prompt and timely distribution of the inputs while the remaining N300million will be reserved for procurement of fertilizer in case the State is not able to get the consignment requested for from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

Inputs to be distributed include maize, rice, cocoa, cassava stalks, improved yam setts, oil palm, cashew and agrochemicals.

6. GOVT. APPROVES N221.6MILLION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTRE

The State Executive Council also approved a sum of N221,668,000 for the construction of the Arts and Cultural Centre at Water Works Area in Ado Ekiti.

The approval was to address the need for the State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy to have a befitting Cultural Centre that will promote and preserve the State’s cultural heritage.

The Centre will serve as the professional and exhibition space for the Creative Department of the Ministry, contribute to the development of the State Capital by creating dynamic spaces of cultural exchange, attract consumers and commerce, create new job opportunities as well as fostering revenue generation.

Components of the Centre include an arts theatre; arts gallery and museum; multipurpose hall; sales point for arts works, craft and souvenirs; 10 huts for craftsmen and women; two bush-bar and kitchens; conveniences; borehole; generator house; and security post.

The Centre which is expected to be completed within seven months is to be awarded to Messrs. Adedokun Alade & Company, a reputable company with specialty in the designing and construction of performance spaces.

7. EKITI GOVT. STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF COMPLYING WITH DISABILITY LAW.

The State Executive Council directed that all public buildings in the State must be in compliance with the Disability Law on creating access to people with mobility difficulties by providing ramps and equipment to help them access the buildings with ease by the end of 2025.

Public buildings are classified to include business malls & supermarkets, churches, mosques, educational institutions (schools), banks, official buildings.

Signed

Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun

Ekiti State Commissioner for Information