The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • About economic development in Ekiti State

    Ekiti State is faced with three fundamental problems

    The 1st Ekitipanupo Colloquium which held in Lagos, Thursday 8 September, 2016, was a high octane event, featuring papers by reputed academicians, professionals and seasoned politicians who have served Nigeria with distinction. Among them was Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi who presented a technical, but very robust paper on: “Economic development and contemporary issues of concern to stakeholders in Ekiti-State”. Because of  the  paper’s relevance to Pan-Nigeria, and the grim picture of Ekiti it presents which,  it is hoped, should make Ekiti wannabe governors, come 2018, sit up and thoroughly re-examine their capabilities , or otherwise,  I have decided to publish it as presented, barring a mild abridgment for space, because therein lies the critical issues of who becomes the next  governor of Ekiti; not the leisurely talk about the Senatorial district he/she comes from or whether or not  he /she has spent all his/her years on earth  in Ekiti, never as much as venturing outside of it, as some are known to  canvass.

    1.0    Ekiti state is faced with three fundamental problems

    1.1       It’s all about people: What is the state of our people  Lowest SGDP in the region.

    Not enough businesses to create jobs and income – highest ratio in the region

    4/10 young people drop out of tertiary institutions

    Lowest tax index <N2000/ citizen which is in tandem with SME population, IGR and GDP

    Therefore, sound economic management in state is crucial to meeting national targets.

    2.0       The Fiscal Challenge of states

    November 2011, I was privileged to raise a motion on the floor of the Senate on the looming danger of insolvency and bankruptcy in states. The danger no longer looms, it’s here.

    5 years ago 20 states face the prospect of unstable and unfavorable financial standing, given the high percentage of their wage bill to the total revenue.

    As at that time the bulk of the revenue of states was being spent to on pay roll of the civil service which constitutes less than 4% of the total population in all states.

     

    It is therefore not surprising that today,  there are indications of insolvency in 27 states

    23 states received a bail out cash of N689.5 billion[9] from the Federal Government and recently 5 states[10] have been prequalified for another round of conditional bail out from the FG.

    3.0       Six practical steps for action by states

    3.1       Baseline for economic growth and human livelihood improvement: state of the state

    This involves a rapid assessment and understanding of the economy and of livelihood conditions of the state.

    • Estimation and analysis of state GDP. This will provide the canvas for creating MTSS for economic growth poles in state.
    • Agriculture – replicating the new value chain approach on rice in Kebbi and Jigawa.
    • Solid minerals mapping of the state and areas of immediate-medium term opportunity.
    • Youth development & mobilization: Entertainment, ICT & sports

    Concentric economy model with Ondo and Osun states.

    Institutionalise multi- year state development planning as the basis for public expenditure

    3.2       Lay the foundation for growth: planning for 2017-2019

    • Establish and or strengthen State Bureau of Statistics, Planning Commissions and Budget Offices or ministry of Budget and Planning
    • Develop 4 year medium term development plans for state and local governments and align with global and regional frameworks Emphasis will be on private sector led growth in Agriculture, Health, Education sectors; Infrastructure and enabling environment for PSD.

    Set performance targets in poverty education, health, agriculture/agribusiness, strategic infrastructure, environment and climate change

    3.3       IGR reform

    Ramp up internal revenue drive,

    Implementation of the FIRS/DFID/DFID/NGF state specific IGR reports.

    Expansion of tax net and efficiency of collection

    Land and property titling reform e.g. FCT, Lagos, FCT, Anambra, Enugu etc.

    Replicating Lagos, Ogun and Kano states experience

    Federal support and incentive for TSA adoption

    3.4       Improved PFM and fiscal transparency in states

    Review current FRA to reflect best practices of Brazil and India.

    Develop framework of MTEF for 2017-2019

    Fiscal prudence and cost control:

    • Salary bailout versus forensic audit of payroll and worker productivity
    • Overhead cost review to shave off all non-value adding and avoidable expenditure
    • Critical look at General Administration expenses – cost of running government houses, governors offices and political office holders

    3.5       Budget process reform

    First step is to regain fiscal sanity by ensuring that revenue matches expenditure.

    • Massive cut in cost of governance and focus more on essential public services particularly in public schools and primary health care delivery.
    • Commence ZBB to justify and bring down cost

    Reset ratio of recurrent and capital budget

    Pursue value for money, avoid contract inflation, institute effective price monitoring and public procurement policies.

    • Exploring and creative financing windows
    • Prioritizing the completion of on-going infrastructure projects in roads, rail and power
    • Mobilizing private capital for public infrastructure – expanding and speeding up concessioning process under PPP arrangements.

    3.6       Public service reform

    Necessity to right-size their public service; this could mean all or a combination of shedding jobs, outsourcing, cutting pay, trimming benefits and other creative ideas.

    There are models for managing labour unions during such drastic reforms to ensure collaborative rather than antagonistic labour relations.

    The public service consumed 60-120% of total revenue in some states.

    Use IGR as a proxy for worker productivity, some states are not generating enough to cover the minimum wage of N18,000 per month per worker.

    3.7       Making government work for the people: Focus on delivery

    • Development of State’s Key Results Areas SKRAs
    • Set performance targets for SKRAs in priority sectors
    • Set up M&E framework
    • Set up delivery unit within Governor’s office

    4.0       Conclusion

    These practical solutions can build the capacity of state government for turnaround management

    The current realities in the country indicates that states will have to look inwards and solve their problems rather than rely on the FG

    Therefore the state needs a new economic development agenda that rely on its youths to drive  economic growth, create jobs and improve livelihood of citizens.

    Fiscal openness with rational application of states resources will in aggregate terms be contributory to overall economic performance.

  • Fayose warns teachers against huge bank loans

    Fayose warns teachers against huge bank loans

     

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has warned teachers against enslaving themselves with huge bank loans which would leave them with little or no salary at the end of each month.

     

    He expressed regrets that taking so many bank loans at the same time has impoverished many teachers, dampened their morale and affected their service delivery.

     

    Fayose promised to carry out reforms that would solve the perpetual problem of over-deduction of salary of workers through the biometric payment system introduced to block loopholes being used to siphon the state’s lean resources.

     

    The governor who spoke on Friday during an interactive session with primary and secondary school teachers at Ola Oluwa Muslim Grammar School, Ado Ekiti on Friday also donated 400 laptops to Accounting Officers operating in the state and Local Government levels.

     

    The donation of the laptops was to facilitate the collation of vouchers of teachers before onward transmission to the Accountant General’s office for payment.
    Fayose warned that the teachers should not be oblivious of the fact that a popular loan called ‘sharp-sharp’ introduced by one of the commercial banks is fast becoming a burden rather than benefit.

    He said: “Workers need to be careful with these loans from commercial banks, especially the one called sharp-sharp. Many are facing serious challenges caused by over-deduction by banks and when they have problems they will be blaming the government.

    “I am not really happy with the idea of workers going home empty handed after the payment of salary because some had taken too many loans and they are left with nothing after receiving their salaries.

    “That was why I had instructed the Local Government accounting officers to crosscheck vouchers prepared with the ones collated by bursar of each school, so that all errors can be detected before reaching the Accountant General.

    “And to those who had fallen victims of over-deduction, we will address it through the ongoing reforms. Though, we have no mandate to interfere with what you do with your banks, but being a passionate person and friend of the teachers, I have directed the Accountant General to bring the managers of those banks to me, so that all these complaints can be addressed.”

    According to him, he was aware that problems arising from over deduction of salaries were rampant at the local level, promising to strengthen the system via decentralization of pay points to really abate the noticeable bottlenecks.

    He said though not all the accounting officers will get the laptop computers in the first trench of the distribution, promising to make up in the next round while training will also follow appropriately.

     

     

  • Tears as Ekiti bulldozers demolish houses for flyover

    Tears as Ekiti bulldozers demolish houses for flyover

    Some house owners in Okesa area of Ado Ekiti were in tears yesterday evening as government bulldozers began demolition of more structures in the area to accommodate an outer road for the ongoing flyover project.

    The demolition exercise, which was personally supervised by Governor Ayo Fayose, started at about 4.30p.m. and continued till dusk, reducing the buildings to rubbles.

    The governor, who sported a white T-shirt, had his convoy parked by the roadside as the demolition was going on.

    The exercise started at Fajuyi area, where structures including the fence and security post of the State High Court complex, Cathedral Church of Emmanuel (Anglican Communion), were marked for demolition.

    Those who wept said it was inconceivable to see their ‘ancient’ buildings reduced to rubbles within minutes.

    The affected buildings, including many shops in the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Shopping Complex, had earlier been marked for demolition weeks before the exercise commenced.

    The two bulldozers kept roaring and busy with demolition until rains started at about 5.40p.m., which temporarily halted the exercise. The exercise continued after the rain ceased till it became too dark to continue.

    Many of the landlords and house owners had started removing their roofing sheets and other over the weekend till Wednesday afternoon after entreaties to convince the government to halt the demolition failed.

    Some of the residents staged a peaceful protest last Thursday, claiming that they had no alternative place to go and that government reneged on the initial agreement of  15 meter setback and came out with a new benchmark of 30 meters to the main road.

    The protesters said: “The demolition will render many old people living and trading in the buildings homeless and turn them to refugees in their home land.”

  • Four World Bank officials drown in Ekiti

    Four World Bank officials drown in Ekiti

    Disaster struck in Ekiti State Wednesday evening when four members of a World Bank assessment team on assignment drowned at Egbe Dam located in Egbe Ekiti in Gbonyin Local Government.

    Among the four who died in the incident was a son of a contractor to the World Bank whose father was one of the survivors. They were said to have commenced work at the site on Tuesday before tragedy struck on Wednesday.

    The incident which three other members of the team survived had thrown the serene community into mourning.

    Sources told our reporter on Thursday that the team members came from Development Dams and Irrigation Scheme in Kaduna State to carry out an assessment of the dam which had long been overdue for turnaround maintenance.

    Their boat was said to have capsized while they were sailing from one end of the dam to the other. Sources revealed that the small boat which could conveniently take four persons was overloaded with seven on board.

    According to the sources, the four victims who died in the incident did not wear life jackets while the three others who wore survived the disaster.

    The bodies of the victims were recovered by local fishermen mobilized to the scheme by Gbonyin Local Government Council Chairman, Mrs. Sade Akinrinmola.

    The council boss told reporters on telephone that he had contacted the community’s monarch, the Owa Egbe, Oba Ayodele Ige Olokesusi, on the tragic incident.

    Describing the incident as “unfortunate”, Mrs. Akinrinmola disclosed that the bodies of the victims have been deposited at the General Hospital, Ode Ekiti, headquarters of the council area.

    She said: “We immediately mobilised a rescue team and an ambulance and those wearing life jackets were rescued. The rescued people were the ones who told us that others were in the water. Their bodies were later retrieved by the local fishermen.

    “We believe that they (the victims) were there based on some of the proposals we had written on the dam and how it could be put to use and we believe that the World Bank had started work on the river based on the calls.”

    Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi confirmed the incident which he said was still under investigation.

    Adeyemi said: “They must have come from the Federal Ministry because dams are owned by the Federal Government. It is true that their boat capsized, four of them died while three survived.”

  • Ex-lawmaker blasts Fayose’s aide over ‘wild allegation’

    Former member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Sunday Adunmo, has slammed the Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor on Public Communication, Lere Olayinka, for allegedly using his position to carry out hatchet job and making “wild allegations” against perceived opponents.

    Addressing a briefing to defend his integrity against Olayinka’s allegation that he (Adunmo) used government funds to build a hotel in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, the former legislator said he had been in business for over 20 years before joining politics and never diverted public funds to his private business.

    Adunmo was in the House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the defunct Action Congress (AC) where he represented Oye Constituency 2 and was later appointed as Senior Special Assistant on Roads to former Governor Kayode Fayemi between 2011 and 2014.

    Olayinka had alleged during an interview programme on the radio channel of Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) that Adunmo built his hotel with government money and should be questioned on the source of funds for the project.

    But Adunmo said he started business in Ibadan over 20 years before coming home to invest to contribute his quota to the development of his home state and was never found guilty of embezzlement, misappropriation and diversion of public funds.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain explained that his business interests spanned real estate, construction and hospitality with business contacts within and outside the country adding that he only heeded the call of the people to come back home and participate in politics.

    The politician explained that he bought the building in question in 2009 before Fayemi assumed power which he converted into a hotel business.

    Adunmo added that the building he converted to the hotel had been under renovation before he was appointed to serve under the Fayemi’s administration, adding that in as much as he would not join issues with Olayinka over the matter, he need to clear the air  so that the “falsehood would not become truth”

    He explained that his quest to invest in hotel business was to contribute to the state economy and provide jobs the teeming unemployed youths and to further improve hotel businesses in the state.

    Adunmo warned Olayinka to desist from playing politics of bitterness adding that such is capable of setting political leaders against one another.

  • Fayose’s  PDP faction elects exco

    Fayose’s  PDP faction elects exco

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction loyal to Governor Ayo Fayose on Tuesday held its state congress where former Commissioner for Information, Gboyega Oguntuase was elected Chairman.

    Oguntuase polled 554 votes to defeat his rival, Victor Mebuseye, who obtained 34 votes at the congress conducted at Fountain Hotels, Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

    Others officials who emerged at the governor’s faction congress include Olu Adebayo (Deputy Chairman), Anthony Falade (Treasurer), Mrs. Yemisi Afolabi (Women Leader), Rotimi Adekola (Youth Leader), Ayo Oladimeji (Organizing Secretary), and Jackson Adebayo (Publicity Secretary).

    The congress was observed by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

    Another PDP faction in the state had earlier in the day elected Chief Williams Ajayi as Chairman at a parallel congress held at the Omo Ilu Foundation secretariat, Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti.

    An electoral panel from the party’s National Secretariat who witnessed the congress include Chief Henry Ikoh, Ayo Aluko-Olokun and Diran Odeyemi.

    Ikoh described the conduct of the delegates as “commendable and worthy of emulation.”

    He expressed satisfaction that “the congress was devoid of any rancour as the delegates elected the candidates of their choice.”

    Odeyemi hailed the delegates for making the assignment of the panel easier by conducting themselves in a peaceful manner from the beginning to the end of the exercise.

    INEC representative,Taiwo Gbadegesin, disclosed that the report of the congress would be forwarded to the electoral agency for necessary action.

  • Ekiti works commissioner resigns

    The Ekiti state Government on Wednesday announced the resignation of the state Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Mr. Kayode Oso.

    The announcement was contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado Ekiti by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade.

    According to the statement, Oso, known to be one of the closest political associates of Governor Ayo Fayose, resigned on health grounds.

    “Mr. Kayode Oso has worked assiduously to add value to this administration going by his effort towards the development of our state.

    “His letter of resignation has been fully accepted‎ by His Excellency, Mr. Ayo Fayose.

    “Oso, in his notice to the governor, stated that he decided to resign to attend to his health challenges.

    “We wish him quick recovery, the Government of Ekiti State will stand by him while he overcomes his health challenges,” Alade said.

    NAN recalls that Oso, during the first term in office of Fayose, served as Chief of Staff to the governor and was later appointed works commissioner.

    Oso, a native of Ado Ekiti, was again reappointed Works Commissioner on Oct. 16, 2014, soon after the governor was sworn-in for a second term.

     

  • Tinubu is a pillar, leader in Yorubaland  – Fayose

    Tinubu is a pillar, leader in Yorubaland  – Fayose

    Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state on Monday described former Lagos state Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as a pillar in Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.

    Fayose said this in a congratulatory message to mark Tiunbu’s 64th birthday.

    Tinubu was born on March 29, 1952.

    A statement issued by Mr Idowu Adelusi, the Chief Press Secretary to Fasoye, said that the APC national leader had over the years proven to be a great political figure in the country.

    “I heartily felicitate with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he clocks 64 on March 29.

    “Whether one likes it or not, Asiwaju Tinubu has become a political pillar and leader, not only in Yorubaland but in Nigeria.

    “He is a great politician who takes well-calculated political steps.

    “I and the good people of Ekiti State join millions of Nigerians and Asiwaju Tinubu’s friends and supporters across the world to rejoice with him on this auspicious occasion.

    “Asiwaju Tinubu is a good case study when one talks about political resilience and doggedness and no wonder he now ranks among the leaders of this great country.

    “I pray that God gives him the grace to witness many more years in sound health in the land of the living,’’ Fayose was quoted as saying in the statement.

     

  • “Fayose’s statement a misguided utterance”

    “Fayose’s statement a misguided utterance”

    Former Minister of National Planning under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Suleiman Abubakar, has scolded the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose over his comments that President Muhammadu Buhari was turning Nigeria to an Islamic state.

    It would be recalled that Fayose alleged that the trip by President Buhari and five governors to Saudi Arabia was an attempt to transform Nigeria into an Islamic nation.

    The former minister condemned the statement saying: “It should be seen as a misguided utterances and not a true reflection of the perceptions of most members of our party.”

    Abubakar, who said this in a statement noted that Fayose’s statement is “not only capable of heighten the centrifugal tendencies in our country, but could be counter-productive to the reform agenda been driven by some patriotic elements in our party.

    “The mere visit by the President and some government functionaries is not enough to suggest an attempt to Islamise the nation.

    “Any divisive statement from any leader of our party is condemnable and not in the best interest of Nigeria,” he maintained.

  • Perjury: Court orders arrest of ex-Ekiti PDP secretary

    Perjury: Court orders arrest of ex-Ekiti PDP secretary

    An Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Etop James, to arrest and prosecute the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary, Dr. Tope Aluko, for alleged
    perjury.

    The order was consequent upon a motion ex-parte filed by Ekiti State government in a case marked MAD/10CM/2016 to arraign Aluko to answer the charge of perjury for allegedly lying under oath with his revelations on Channels Television on Sunday that the 2014 governorship poll was rigged.

    Governor Ayo Fayose was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but his victory has been mired by allegations of rigging and misuse of military forces

    But the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Alberto Adeyemi said the state command was not aware of any court order to arrest and prosecute Aluko for perjury.

    The motion ex-parte was filed pursuant to Section 117 of the Criminal Code Cap 16 Law of Ekiti State 2012, Section 79 of the Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2014 and Section 23 (D) of the
    Magistrates’ Court Law 2014.

    In the Motion, which was filed and moved by the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Gbemiga Adaramola, an order of the court was sought to issue warrant of arrest against Aluko to be executed by the State Commissioner of Police for the purpose of committing him (Aluko) for trial for the offence of perjury.

    The motion application was brought on four grounds which conveyed the desire of the State to prosecuting Aluko for the alleged offence of perjury. The State averred that Aluko cannot be arrested without a valid bench warrant.

    Others included whether the order of the court was necessary for the issuance of the warrant of arrest and that the court has power to grant the order brought before it.

    Moving the application, Adaramola informed the court that the motion contained nine paragraphs affidavit deposed to by Lere Olayinka, Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New Media.

    Among the exhibits attached to the motion included Aluko’s written statement on oath which he tendered before Ekiti State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunals in 2014.

    The DPP relied on all the paragraphs of the affidavits attached thereto urging the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the state because Aluko had on November 12, 2014 given evidence under
    cross examination that the election which brought Fayose into power was free, fair and credible devoid of the military harassment.

    Adaramola said granting the motion would enhance the integrity of the judiciary.

    Chief Magistrate Adesoji Adegboye however granted the application and issued warrant of arrest against Tope Aluko.

    He ruled that since the court had the power to grant the order and it will serve the interest of justice, the State Commissioner of Police should arrest Aluko for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting
    him.

    The matter was premised upon an application to the State Attorney General by the state PDP Legal Adviser, Sunday Olowolafe, calling for the prosecution of Aluko for alleged perjury.

    Olowolafe said: “I hereby apply to your office that Dr Temitope Kolawole Aluko be arrested and sued for perjury in view of the interview recently granted on Channels Television by 8:00pm on Sunday
    31 January, 2016.

    “The said Dr Temitope Kolawole Aluko now recanted the evidence he gave in the cause of the hearing of the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition as a star witness even up to the Supreme Court.

    “The Certified True Copy of the State on Oath, evidence of Dr Temitope Kolawole Aluko in Court on the 12/11/14 and Nigerian Tribune and The Punch newspapers of Monday, 01/02/2016 that reported the interview granted are hereto attached.

    “It is to be noted that this if this act (Perjury) is not looked into, it will definitely defile the cause of justice and consequently rubbished the judicial proceedings.”

    In Olayinka’s affidavit in support of the motion ex-parte, he averred that Aluko, who was a witness before the governorship tribunal sworn to a Statement on Oath on August 4, 2014 wherein he stated that the Election was not only free and fair, but devoid of violence, thuggery, hooliganism, snatching of ballot boxes, and related forms of electoral disorderliness.

    Olayinka further averred that Mr Aluko tendered and adopted his Statement on Oath on November 12, 2014 and further gave evidence under cross examination.

    He stated that all what Aluko said on Channels Television on Sunday, January 31, 2016 were contrary to and opposite in direction to his evidence before the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.