NEWS
ONDO AND EKITI SIGNED ASSET DOCUMENT
The eight years old problem of asset sharing between Ondo and Ekiti State has finally been resolved.
The two states formally signed the document sharing the asset between them at the Governors Office, 3rd June 2004.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State Commended the Technical Committee for the cordial atmosphere in which it handled the assignment of sharing the asset.
Also, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Ayo Fayose said the spirit of give and take was paramount on the minds o f the two governors, hence the amicable resolution of the asset sharing.
EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE SHARE HOLDING IN GOVERNMENT OWN COMPANIES
The Ekiti state Government is to reduce its share holding in government owned companies and industries as part of efforts to minimize direct control over such enterprises.
Mr. Ojo explained that the workshop was par of the Federal Government’s efforts to carry the people along in the quest to transform the nation’s economy through its privatization policy.
He assured that the pilot industries in the state would be privatized when completed and advised the people to cultivate positive attitude towards investing through acquisition of shares.
The State Commissioner for Commerce, Industries, Cooperatives and Tourism, Mr. Toyin Ojo dropped the hint at a workshop on privatization in Ado-Ekiti. Mr. Ojo disclosed that government would limit its shares to a maximum of 20% as stipulated in the state’s industrial policy.
The Commissioner noted that low Entrepreneurship development in the state was responsible for its general low level of industrial development, stressing that lack of investment funds had stunted the prospects of acquisition of companies’ shares by individuals.
EKITI STATE CELEBRATES CIVIL SERVICE WEEK, 2,507 CIVIL SERVANT PROMOTED
Ekiti State Government as part of the move to improve the morale of workers and put the service on higher pedestal has promoted 2,507 Civil Servants within the inception of the present administration.
Disclosing this at a Press Conference to mark the celebration of year 2004 Civil Service week in Ado-Ekiti, the acting Head of Service in the State, Mrs. Nike Adeyemi said the present administration has equally promoted over 5,000 teachers in the past one year.
According to Mrs Adeyemi, Civil Servants are rolling out drums to celebrate this year’s Civil Service week because the moral of the service is much higher than it was on May 29, 2003 when the present administration took over.
She disclosed that the Fayose’s administration has paid a block sum of N279.4million out of unpaid gratuities of retirees of N536.7 million inherited from the past administration.
On the promotion of workers, she explained that most of the people who benefited from the gesture belong to the categories of officers who had stagnated for years, adding that amongst officers that benefited were drivers who have been converted to work superintendent cadre and officers of the forestry department.
Adeyemo also commended governor Fayose for paying salaries and allowances of workers regularly and for embarking on capacity building in the service through which some Permanent Secretaries and other top Civil Servants are being sent for foreign training outside the country.
The acting Head of Service Commended the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for the recent industrial action which forced marketers and federal government to revert the recent increase on prices of petroleum products.
PDP NATIONAL LEADERSHIP LAUDS EKSG
The National leadership of the PDP has lauded Ekiti State government for managing its meager resources to development the state and for releasing the Local Governments’ allocation to them without illegal deductions.
The Deputy Governor, Mr. Abiodun Aluko who disclosed this to pressmen in Abuja after the meeting of the South West Governors with the PDP National Centre Working Committee also commended the state Government for releasing Local Government funds to them for grassroots development.
Mr. Aluko said the national leadership of the party was worried about the allegations that some states were tampering with local government’s funds.
According to the Deputy Governor, other issues discussed at the meeting include the party’s stand on the race towards the 2007 General elections and the party congresses and conventions for next year. He said the meeting also disclosed issues relating to agricultural development and the establishment of small and medium scale enterprises to tap and develop some natural and agricultural resources which abound in the South West zone for the economic development of the area.
PDP National leaders at meeting include the National Chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe, the National Secretary, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, the PDP South West Chairman, Chief Olabode George, the Governor of Oyo State, Chief Rasheed Ladoja, Ondo State Governor, Chief Segun Agagu, while the Governor of Ekiti, Ogun and Osun states were represented by their Deputies.
FAYOSE ASSURES LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON DEVELOPMENT Ekiti State Government, Dr. Ayodele Fayose has promised to support all Local Government Chairmen in the State in their bid to better the lot of the grassroots people.
The Governor gave the indication on Tuesday at the commissioning of the office extension and the foundation laying ceremony of a new office of the Chairman at the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Igede-Ekiti.
Dr. Fayose who stressed the commitment of his administration to improve the living standard of the people said he would continue to support and encourage Local Government Chairmen to do same at local level.
The Chief Executive expressed happiness about the impressive performance of the Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Chairman, Hon. Toba Adaramola whom he was proud of and urged him not to relent efforts.
He stated that he has not and would not tamper with the fund of the Local Government, assuring that the provision of drinkable water, electricity and good roads among other social infrastructures was a priority of his administration.
The Governor explained that the Ado-Ekiti-Afao road, Igede-Iworoko as well as Afao-Ilupeju roads among others were being constructed in order to link up the various communities in the State and reduce their hardship.
The Chief Executive pleaded with politicians in particular, and the generality of the people at large to be patient with the Government at various levels, assuring them of Government’s commitment to the development of the people.
The highpoint of the occasion was the foundation laying ceremony of the new Chairman’s office and the commissioning of the office annex be the Governor.
Earlier, the Chairman, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government council, Hon. Toba Adaramola appreciated the support of the Fayose administration to all the Local Governments in the State.
The Chairman who hinted that the project being commissioned was initiated two months ago enumerated his achievements to include the inauguration of Local Government Action Committee on HIV/AIDS (LACA), and the Mobile Health Service Scheme which he described as the rifts of its kind in the State.
Others are the launching of the Women in Agriculture programme, part payment of arrears of past political and public office holders and the repair of the Local Government grounded vehicles for en
hanced productivity as well as the face lift of the secretariat.