NEWS
EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT WON'T BE DISTRACTED - Fayose
Our attention has been drawn to the recent allegation by Chief Afe Babalola that His Excellency, Dr. Ayo Fayose, Executive Governor of Ekiti State is after his life.
The allegation was not only grave, in all intent and purpose, but came to us as a rude shock. Chief Afe Babalola, is, by no means, an eminent son of Ekiti State, who has made his mark in the legal profession and contributed, in no small measure, to the development of the state.
Chief Babalola’s contribution to the creation of Ekiti State is well known and highly recognized by all and sundry in the state and even beyond. We would, therefore, continue to accord this elder statesman the highest regard due to his status in the state.
We hereby declare, unequivocally, that our government, and indeed, the good people of Ekiti State are well aware of the opposition game plan and the antics of those stridently opposed to the progressive, people-friendly and dynamic government that we now run in the state.
They are not only enemies of progress but a group of frustrated power mongers and egoists who are all out to distract the attention of the governor and, by extension, destabilize the state through orchestrated media propaganda.
For us, whatever anybody says, we regard it as part of the licence offered by our new democratic experience and consequently, the price we have to pay for leadership.
In line with the social contract we entered into with the good people of Ekiti State, we shall continue unabated the good works that have earned us confidence and overwhelming support of the down trodden masses and the generality of our people.
This disposition has become necessary in view of the fact that our government would be judged by the Ekiti electorate based on what we have done for them to justify the mandate given to us and not how well we were able to respond to spurious media attacks on our government.
It is the resolve of the Ekiti State government that henceforth, we would not join issues with any individual, group of individuals or organizations on the pages of newspapers again on any matter whatsoever.
However, our silence should not be misconstrued as an acceptance of guilt on any frivolous allegation against our government or the person of Governor Ayo Fayose, but we would rather concentrate fully on exploring ways of lifting the state out of the woods.
We make bold to say that all the hues and cries on the pages of newspapers on a purported crisis in Ekiti State only exist in the imagination of those who are determined to set the state backward at all cost. As at today, Ekiti is one of the most peaceful states in the country.
For us, even when all the Goliaths of this world are against us, we shall continue to forge ahead because IN GOD WE TRUST.
Signed Ayo Fayose Governor, Ekiti StateOBASANJO OKAYS DUALIZATION OF ADO-EKITI ROADS
President Olusegun Obasanjo has directed that work should commence on the dualization project of the 6km Ikere/Ado-Ekiti road. The President gave the directive in Abuja on Tuesday during a visit of the Ekiti Obas delegation led by the State Governor, Dr. Ayodele Fayose to the presidential villa.
Chief Obasanjo who noted that certain roads were erroneously regarded as Federal Government roads stated the readiness of the Federal Government to rehabilitate and reconstruct its roads across the country and charged the State Governments to attend to their own roads. The President also assured that electricity and water problems confronting the State would soon be solved saying the Federal Government was working towards it.
Earlier, the spokesman of the Ekiti delegation and Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Elekole of Ikole, Oba Adetunla Adeleye commended President Obasanjo for the reforms aimed at bettering the lot of the Nigerians. The Elekole who observed that no tangible work has been done on the 132KVA electricity project two years after the contract has been approved and awarded to the contractor, pleaded with the president to ensure the release of fund in order to complete the project on time.
The Royal father also called for the expedition of action on the rehabilitation of the water dams in the State in order to boost water supply and called for the rehabilitation of Federal Government owned roads in the state.EKITI STATE CIVIL SERVICE WEEK
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Ayodele Fayose has charged civil servants in the state to be more dedicated to their duties in order to justify Governor’s kind gesture towards them. The Governor gave the charge at the new secretariat, Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday during a dinner marking the grand finale of the civil service week celebration.
Dr. Fayose said his administration would continue to make worker’s welfare a priority while salaries, leave bonuses and other emoluments would be paid promptly.
The Chief Executive hinted that two Permanent Secretaries are presently undergoing training abroad adding that a few who could not go with them as a result of preparation for the civil service week would soon join them abroad.
He charged Permanent Secretaries and other top government functionaries to instill and enforce discipline among workers saying that his government would not condone any act of indiscipline. The Governor stated that his government would welcome good ideas and suggestions that could move the state forward and caution against unprogressive and destructive petitions.
Governor Fayose promised that 2003 leave bonus would be paid after full payment of the on-going 2002 and assured that car loans would be given to workers as soon as the finances improved to accommodate it.
The Chief Executive who remarked that this edition of the civil service week celebration was the first of its kind in his administration thanked the Permanent Secretaries in particular and the entire working force for their co-operation and assured of better days ahead of them.
OMOLE JUSTIFIES CREATION OF NEW MINISTRY
Ekiti State Special Adviser for Special Duties and Intergovernmental relations, Hon. Akinbowale Omole has explained that the creation of the new Ministry was part of efforts of Governor Fayose Administration to ensure accelerated development of the state.Hon. Akinbowale Omole made this known during his maiden meeting with the staff of the Ministry in ado-Ekiti.Hon. Omole stated that the new Ministry of Special Duties is saddled with the responsibility of supervising the State emergency Relief Management Agency, the State poverty Reduction Programmes and Rural Access Road as well as any other duties assigned to it by the Governor.He charged members of staff to be more committed to their duties in order to realized the set objectives of the Ministry.Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Jide Ajayi assured the Special adviser that staff would live up to expectation.
EKSG APPROVED N5M FOR SALARY ARREARS OF MEDICAL DOCTOR
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Ayodele Fayose has approved N5million for the payment of the 2½ months salary arrears of medical doctors in the state owed them by the immediate past administration.
The Governor gave the approval on Thursday in his office during a courtesy call on him by the representatives of the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).
Dr. Fayose who remarked that his administration was trying not to establish a tradition of debt profile pleaded with the medical doctors to appreciate what he was offering them for now saying it was better than nothing.
Responding, the State Chairman of the NMA, Dr Joshua Oguntoye indicated their readiness to accept the N5 million out of the N7.2million he claimed was owed them and thanked the Governor for his kind gesture and promised a renew dedication to duty on behalf of his colleagues.