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Tag: Fayemi

  • Fayemi orders clearing of Ekiti highway bushes over kidnapping

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has ordered immediate clearing of bushes on the major highways to stem the spate of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

    He urged the residents to always volunteer information to government and security agencies to enable them arrest and prosecute criminals.

    Fayemi spoke yesterday at an interfaith thanksgiving at Osuntokun Pavilion of the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, to usher in the New Year.

    Represented by Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi, the governor said his administration needed the support of the people to tackle crime and make the state safe for investment.

    A statement by the Special Assistant (SA) on Media to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, said special prayers were offered for the success of this year’s general elections, peace, security, progress and development of Ekiti State and Nigeria.

    The service was attended by the governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; the deputy governor’s wife, Mrs. Margaret Egbeyemi; House of Assembly Speaker Adeniran Alagbada; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye, traditional rulers, government officials, Christian and Muslim clerics.

    Fayemi said work would soon start on abandoned projects across the state.

    The governor urged monarchs, chiefs and other residents in various communities to monitor contractors and pace of work.

    He said: “We will be clearing the bush on the roadsides in Ekiti State in the next three weeks and criminals hiding in the bushes will be exposed.

    “Government has entrusted the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to clear the bushes on our highways and we want our obas and chiefs to monitor the work.

    “The security of the state is paramount to us. We want to urge our people to help us about security because this is the business of everyone of us.

    “If you know bad people among us, like kidnappers, armed robbers; if you know them or you suspect them, please, let us know.

    “You can give us information and we will not expose you for giving us information.”

    Fayemi added: “We are going to start working on abandoned projects. The Obas and chiefs should monitor the projects that would be done in their areas.

    “Please, supervise all our workers: go there and see what they are doing. If they don’t do it well, tell us and we are going to take action.”

  • Fayemi to politicians: shun bitterness, bloodshed at polls

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has urged the residents to shun politics of bitterness and hatred.

    The governor advised them not to see this year’s general elections as a do-or-die affair to make 2019 a rewarding year for the state.  He also advised politicians and the electorate to put the love of the state above parochial interest so that the state can develop faster.

    Fayemi noted that said this year’s Appropriation Bill, named: Budget of Restoration, which he presented to the House of Assembly, would be implemented diligently to redirect Ekiti to the path of economic sanity and recovery.

    In a state broadcast to mark the New Year, the governor said his administration would accord priority to payment of salary and pensions as well as put the state’s development plan on solid footing through the Four-Cardinal Policy Thrust of his administration for Ekiti to regain its lost core values.

    The broadcast marked the return of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State to the air wave, following its closure by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) last July for alleged ethical infractions.

    He said: “If we count the blessings and gains of the past two months of our administration in the saddle, you will all agree with me that we are already out of the dark tunnel into the glowing light of fast economic recovery and speedy value restoration.

    “This, indeed, is the least we can do for Ekiti people for their belief, love and trust in our ability to steer the course and put our state back on the path of prosperity, honour and peace.

    “Of course, there are many issues, sectors, projects and citizens’ expectations desiring urgent attention. The intolerance, decadence, rot, abandonment, hopelessness and misplaced priority that pervaded Ekiti land in the past four years have inevitably increased the thirst of Ekiti-Kete for good governance and the dawn of good tidings…”

  • He was a man of peace – Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commiserated with the government and people of Sokoto State, the Sokoto Caliphate and family of the first executive President of the country,  Alhaji Shehu Shagari, on the passing of  the ex-President on Friday, aged 93. Fayemi, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, described Alhaji Shagari as a man of peace, who lived an exemplary simple life style.

    The governor said Shagari, through the various positions he held since 1951 when he became the Secretary of the Northern People’s Congress in Sokoto, till his presidency between 1979 and 1983, played very significant roles in the socio-political growth and development of Nigeria. He added that the late Shagari was a true example of a leader who loved peace and pursued it with all his might.

    “Until he breathed his last he continued to render invaluable support to successive administrations at the various levels of government in the country. We shall miss this great and amiable leader, who abhorred politics of bitterness. I convey the condolences of my family, the good people of Ekiti State to the Shagari family, the Sokoto caliphate, the government and people of Sokoto State for the passing and pray that Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah firdous.”

     

  • Fayemi flags off $55 million World Bank-funded Ero rehabilitation project

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has flagged off the rehabilitation of the Ero dam and replacement of transmission main pipelines with a view to addressing  water shortage and curbing  open defecation.

    Speaking at the event  in Ikun Ekiti, Dr Fayemi expressed optimism that the $55 million project which is co-sponsored by the World Bank and the state government would give a sigh of relief to the nine local government areas supplied by the dam when uninterrupted potable water is made available to them.

    The governor stated that Ekiti State has been investing in the water and sanitation sector with efforts to rehabilitate some of the dams within the State in collaboration with the European Union and the World Bank.

    He noted that with the intervention of the World Bank, the Ekiti State water corporation has been driving the water sector reform process with the investment in human and infrastructure to deliver a transformed and effective water service within the State.

    While calling on governments at various levels to work in synergy towards meeting the water supply and sanitation demands of the nation, Governor Fayemi said the adverse effects of potable water shortage are noticeable in the high cost of water to low income group who source for alternative vendors.

    He added that this leads to high hospital bills incurred in the treatment of water borne diseases.

    “The Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project which has three participating States is being funded by the World Bank in collaboration with each state respectively, and now is set to achieve among other things a sustainable urban water programme.

    The reform has started yielding fruits in the State Water Corporation with heavy investment in human capital development, increased awareness on tariff, billing and collection. We hope that at the end of the project, Ekiti state will get value for money as tremendous and visible improvement must have been achieved in the WASH sector”, he said.

    In her speech, the General Manager of the State Water Corporation, Engr Olabisi Agbeyo said the rehabilitation will return the dam to its initial design capacity of supplying 66 towns and villages as well as the State capital.

    She added that the transmission pipelines which were severed some years ago along Ifaki- Ado road would be replaced to enable water supply from Ero to Iworoko and Ado Ekiti.

    Also speaking, the Oore of Otun, Oba Adedapo Popoola commended Governor Fayemi for inaugurating the water project; stressing that many towns in Moba local government area have not enjoyed pipe borne water in the last three years.

    Oba Adedapo who said that he had to dig four boreholes in his palace to provide water for the palace and its environs explained that Ekiti people are ready to pay for water supply if provided.

    “Your Excellency, this is the second time of your coming to this dam since your inauguration. It shows that you are really committed to the welfare of your people especially in providing social amenities. Let me say that we are ready to selflessly give anything that will make this project succeed. We are your people in Moba and whatever you want, we will do”, the monarch assures.

  • Group hails Fayemi for restoring good governance to Ekiti

    A political campaign body, Just Keep Following Group (JKFG), has lauded Governor Kayode Fayemi for restoring good governance to Ekiti State.

    The group said the various policies executed by Fayemi so far have  brought  relief, better life and quality standard of living to Ekiti people saying “they have not made any mistake by voting Fayemi to power.”

    JKFG was in the forefront to return Fayemi to office and was the first group to commence an open campaign for the governor by pasting his posters around the state in December 2017.

    The State Coordinator for JKFG, Comrade Bisi Dada, said  Fayemi’s return  to power has set Ekiti people free from ‘slavery’ of four years under former Governor Ayo Fayose.

    Dada  said the Fayemi administration has ended the era of impunity, mediocrity, truth subversion, deception, vulgarism and bad governance allegedly unleashed on Ekiti people by the Fayose regime.

    He commended the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye and other government officials for their input in translating Fayemi vision to reality in the state.

    Dada said: “We appreciate Ekiti people for believing in us during the struggle and campaign to vote for APC especially Dr John Kayode Fayemi. Thanks for keeping faith.

    Read also: Fayemi flags off $55 million World Bank-funded Ero rehabilitation project

    “The new dawn is here, our education sector is receiving adequate attention as Ekiti government has given executive order for free education in all primary and secondary schools, payment of WAEC fee, housing and car loan to teachers, payment for the teaching of core subjects allowance and abolition of underage taxation.

    “The Fayemi administration has made workers welfare its priority. Salaries are  now paid as at when due to wor kers and pensioners across board.

    “The outstanding salaries owed by the past PDP administration are also being addressed as workers will get two months’ salary this December. “

  • Fayemi declares emergency in water sector

    The Governor of Ekiti State,  Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday declared emergency in water sector in a bid to reduce the level of water borne diseases in Ekiti.

    Fayemi who spoke about the deplorable state of the water sector, added  that the people must be saved from preventable illnesses through provision of potable water.

    He promised to take legal and institutional steps to make the state open defecation free before 2030.

    He said the emergency was in tandem with the step taken by President Muhammadu Buhari, who had initiated similar policy under a programme called Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in partnership with the world bank.

    Fayemi spoke in Ikun Ekiti , Moba Local government on Thursday while kicking off the turn around maintenance of Ero Dam and rehabilitation of main transmission pipelines from Ifaki Ekiti to the state capital.

    The project , which will gulp $55 million was awarded to Sagittarius Henan Engineering and is to be completed within 18 months.

    He said the WASH programme of the federal government and world bank  was initiated to reduce amount being paid by Nigerians on hospital bills after contacting all forms of diseases from unhygienic water sources.

    Fayemi said statistics had shown that water supply to urban  cities and rural areas  in the country have reduced by 15  and 4 percent respectively, in spite of geometric increase in the population.

    The governor added that the state had paid a staggering sum of N700m counterpart fund to complete the project that was approved by the world bank in 2014.

    “It was because of the safety of the citizens that the federal government declared emergency in WASH. So, Ekiti has keyed into the programme with this project.

    “ Ekiti was ranked second in Nigeria as state that practice open defecation . We shall put up institutional and legal frameworks to ensure Ekiti is open defecation free before 2030.

    “Part of what accounted for this high practice was because of low water supply to our homes.

    “We are making our traditional rulers as champions that would canvass for open defecation free and if we are going to stop our palaces from digging boreholes here and there, we as government should provide water to our people.

    “ We have done our feasibility studies, 85 percent of our water in Ekiti shall be provided by Ero and Egbe dams if they operate at optimal capacity”, he said.

    The governor assured that affordable tariff will be charged by government and that such will be metred to prevent extortion.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Utilities, Mr Olumide Ajayi, said rehabilitation on Egbe dam located in Gbonyin local government was being co-financed by European Union and Ekiti State.

    Ajayi said the two projects will supply water to over 66 towns across nine local government in the state.

    He admonished  the beneficiaries to be ready to pay affordable tariffs and maintain the facilities when completed.

    The General manager , Ekiti State water corporation, Engr Olabisi Agbeyo, revealed that this is the first time major rehabilitation will be carried out on Ero dam in 33 years.

    “As we speak, Ekiti not owing a kobo as counterpart payment we have paid up and this shows how committed  the state was in water supply”, Agbeyo said.

     

  • Fayemi will create more jobs for Ekiti residents, says Egbeyemi

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi has reiterated the desire of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state to create more jobs and provide social amenities for the citizenry.

    Egbeyemi said the government would invest more in agriculture to create jobs, ensure food security and turn Ekiti into the nation’s food basket.

    The deputy governor also pledged that the Kayode Fayemi administration would complete abandoned projects to the benefit of the residents.

    Egbeyemi spoke at the weekend when he visited the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ekiti State Council where he sought the cooperation of the media for the government.

    The deputy governor described the media as important stakeholders in propagating the policies of the Fayemi administration, as encapsulated in its Four-Point Cardinal Agenda for Ekiti development.

    The agenda, according to Egbeyemi, encompasses agriculture and rural development, social investment, infrastructure development and entrenching knowledge economy.

    He stressed that Fayemi was passionate about the rapid development of Ekiti economy and would make incentives available to attract investors to fast-track job creation.

    The deputy governor said arrangements had begun to fill vacancies occasioned by retirements in the core civil service and teaching service to provide employment for qualified persons.

    He said: “Our focus is to develop the agricultural, industrial, educational sectors and to also generate jobs. But we won’t abandon any project.

    “We are also planning to make farming a good occupation in Ekiti. We have good land we are going to make good use of, to make Ekiti the food basket of the nation.

    “Governor Fayemi started some projects, like the Oba Adejugbe Hospital, some roads under the five-kilometre programme, but were abandoned by the governor that came after him.

    “The contractors handling the projects had been summoned and will be mobilised to site to complete them, including those Fayose initiated. All our moribund industries will be revitalised.

    But we are not going to allow this to affect payment of salaries and pensions. When you pay, the traders, landlords and artisans will be happy.

    “I am currently heading a committee to look at the existing spaces in the civil service so that we can fill them. We are going to employ through this. We are ready to cooperate with everybody, no matter your religion, ethnicity and political belief.”

  • Fayemi presents N129.9b Budget of Restoration

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi yesterday presented an appropriation bill of over N129,924,472,135.01 for the 2019 fiscal year to the state house of assembly.

    The proposal comprises a recurrent expaenditure of N72,580,376.29 or 56.0 per cent and capital expenditure of N57,214,891.72 or 44.0 per cent.

    Presenting the budget estimates on the floor of the House in Ado-Ekiti,  Fayemi said the 2019 budget was based on some macro-economic assumptions as they affect the ability of the government to generate revenues to finance its various projects and programmes.

    According to him, the budget, which is tagged ‘Budget of Restoration’  was judiciously tailored at actualizing the four-pillar of his administration to enhance good governance and speedy economic recovery of the state.

    Giving a breakdown of the budget, Fayemi said, infrastructure and industrial development had the highest estimates of N40,122,788,579.83 or 31,0 per cent, followed by Knowledge economy with N33,393,440.901.80 or 26.0 per cent. others are governance, N32,227,593,099.70 or 25.0per cent; Social Investment, N15,741,236.373.79 or 12.0 per cent and Agriculture and Rural Development, N8,439,413,179.89 or 6.0 per cent.

    He explained that the budget was based on crude oil benchmark of US$50 per barrel and Oil production estimate of 2.4 Million barrels per day. Other assumptions include exchange rate of N305/US Dollar; inflation rate at 12.57 per cent as well as blockade of leakages of remittance to the government treasury.

    The governor also said consistent economic diversification from absolute reliance on the dwindling federal allocation to agriculture and entrepreneur skill acquisition would also be given important consideration in his efforts to actualize the budget proposal.

    He used the opportunity to assure Ekiti people of an enabling environment where the people would live their lives in dignity and respect adding that the budget would be judiciously implemented so as to provide democratic dividends to the people.

    “My vision for our state is to ensure that Ekiti becomes a place where people can thrive and live their lives in dignity. This credo will not only encapsulate the direction of my government, it will remain a standard of measurement for all that we do or say”. Fayemi said.

    Appreciating the Lawmakers for the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature, the governor urged them to give timely consideration to the passage of the budget.

    He said, “You have demonstrated in a rare, but most unique manner, that indeed it is the interest of Ekitikete that matters among all other considerations. Please, be assured of the strong commitment of the executive branch to deepening the existing relationship with the Legislature.

    “Working together in one accord, we can ride on the strength of the restoration agenda to reposition the state for a lasting economic prosperity”.

    “As a government, we a determined to bring succour tour people, improve their lives and deliver on our promises to them. Therefore, 2019 is a crucial year for us to lay solid foundation needed to actualize our four point agenda vis-à-vis our quest to institutionalize the policies and practices to restore our values and dignity”.

    The Speaker of the state House of assembly, Hon. Adeniran Alagbada, in his remarks promised that the lawmakers will ensure the speedy passage of the bill adding that the synergy between the executive and the legislature would take the state to the next level of development.

    The Speaker said, “Let me assure His Excellency that the House and its relevant committees will work round the clock on the appropriation bill and pass it into law within the shortest possible time.

    “The task of governing the state is a collective one. The three arms of government must collaborate together to move the state forward. The Legislature is ever ready to translate the policy initiatives of your administration into an enduring legacy.

    Those expecting  Ekiti  State House of Assembly to be a battle field or a war zone should better look elsewhere because they will be disappointed. Our governor is a listening administrator who accords every arm of government deserved respect and dignity. He is not a meddlesome interloper like others”

  • Fayemi presents N129.9b Appropriation Bill for 2019

    The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Friday presented a sum of N129.924,472,135.01 appropriation bill before the State House of Assembly for passage.

    The budget composed of N57, 214, 891, 758.72 capital expenditure and N72, 709, 580 , 376.29 as recurrent expenditure.

    The budget tagged ‘Budget of Restoration’ was presented before the Speaker, Hon Adeniran Alagbada and other members of the Assembly for passage.

    The Assembly complex was in jubilation galore, as party leaders and loyalists of the governor thronged the palatial premises of the legislative building to give support.

    In the proposal, infrastructure takes the largest share and will gulp a sum of N40, 122, 788, 579. 83 while a total of N33, 393, 440, 901.80 was earmarked for social investment drives.

    Fayemi, who clad in white Agbada praised the assembly for the commitment to the State, saying the fundamental objective of the budget estimate is to drive the four cardinal objectives of his administration, anchored on; Knowledge economy, social investment, infrastructure and Human capital development and Agriculture and Rural Development.

    He said the budget was judiciously tailored towards good governance and speedy economic recovery for Ekiti state and its people.

    “Mr Speaker, the budget encapsulates the plans, policies and programmes of this administration. I equally want to assure you that they needed resources to ensure the success of its provisions shall be effectively sourced.

    “I urge you for timely consideration to the passage of this revenue and expenditure estimate as 2019 is already here”, Fayemi stated.

    Fayemi said for smooth passage of the appropriation bill, that he sought the inputs of all relevant stakeholders and reflected the collective aspiration, needs and demands for sustainable growth and development across the 16 local government areas of the state.

    Reviewing the 2010 budget performance, Fayemi said: “this year has been a year of uncertainty for Ekiti State and Ekiti Kete. However, the cheering news is that we are ending the year on a hopeful and promising note.

    Read Also: Budget presentation: NANS wants NASS to apologise to Nigerians

    “With your continued support and commitment to 4-point agenda of this administration, we will together chart a new course for greater
    tomorrow we will all be proud of.

    “We have assumed office, we have embarked on extensive work in examining the state’s finances, our domestic economy, the challenges
    we confront, and opportunities before us.

    “We promise you to live up to the expectation of publishing details of the State finances during the first 100th day of this government”, he
    said.

    Speaking earlier, the Speaker said the task of rebuilding Ekiti to a model requires the services and collaboration of the three arms of government, assuring that never again shall the State House of Assembly engages the executive in battle of wit and control.

    Alagbada said the political events of the recent time had made Ekiti a laughing stock in the comity of nations, saying the state stands a chance of recovering fast with Dr Fayemi, an accomplished scholar in the saddle of governance.

    He assured that the budget proposal shall be granted expeditious passage in the overall interest of the State.

    “Those expecting the Ekiti State House of Assembly to be a battlefield or a war zone should better look elsewhere because they will be disappointed.

    “Our governor is a listening administrator who accords every arm of government deserves respect and dignity. He is not going to be an interloper like others.

  • Fayemi: Ekiti N3.9b Paris Club refund for salary arrears payment

    The Ekiti State government yesterday received N3.9 billion from the Federal Government as the last tranche of its Paris Club refund.

    As directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, N3.3 billion was also deducted and paid as outstanding 2016-2018 counterpart fund for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) being owed by the state.

    A statement in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by Yinka Oyebode, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Kayode Fayemi, said the governor had directed that the N3.9 billion Paris Club refund be applied to pay one month of outstanding arrears to state and local government workers, teachers and pensioners, in line with his promise to Ekiti workers and people.

    This will be done with an augmentation from internal savings, the statement said.

    It added that the Paris Club refund was received, following President Buhari’s intervention in the matter, after Fayemi’s last week’s visit to the President.

    Fayemi expressed appreciation to the President for the timely intervention, having assured workers in the state that his administration would explore all avenues to clear the five to eight months’ salary arrears owed workers by the immediate past administration, within a reasonable period.

    Dr Fayemi, while addressing reporters during the monthly Meet Your Governor programme on television and radio last week, re-assured workers that he was yet to receive the Paris Club refund.

    Read also: Pipeline fire: Police intensify battle to arrest suspects

    The governor added that he would make it public when the state received the payment.

    The Ayodele Fayose administration had received N18.34 billion Paris Club refund in three tranches between December 2016 and December 2017, besides bailout funds, budget support funds and excess crude support, all totalling about N55 billion, but failed to utilise the money to pay workers and retirees.

    The first tranche of the Paris Club refund totalling N8.87 billion was received in December 2016; the state also got N4.77 billion in July, last year, and another N4.7 billion in December, last year.

    Fayemi assured the workers that his administration would not owe them salaries, adding that he would clear outstanding salaries for all categories of workers within one year.