The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has said human capital Development remained his topmost priority to eradicate poverty and sustain infrastructural developments in the state.
While reiterating the importance of human capital Development, the Governor said human capital are the driving force that control all sectors of Development put in place by his administration.
Governor Oyebanji made this known at Special Stakeholders Engagement held
in Omuo Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government Area on Monday to mark his 300 Days in Office. He said Development in the areas of health, security, Education, empowerments and employments centred on human for easy and proper coordinations of his shared prosperity agenda.
Adding that the shared prosperity agenda of his administration should be visibly seen in the lives of residents of the state irrespective of class, Educatioional status, religion and political parties. According to the Governor” Ekiti people are industrious, educated and have integrity, they deserve to be rich, the prosperity of the state must be shared among all and sundries, for them to be able to train their children, build houses and live well”
Oyebanji who said he held the people of the state in high esteem, hinted that was why in his 100 to 300 days in office he chose to give account of his stewardship at the three Senatorial Districts of the State. He said” my 100 days in office i met stakeholders in Ekiti Central, Ado Ekiti, 200 days in office i engaged the people of Ekiti North at Ido Ekiti and my 300 days in office, I am meeting stakeholders at Omuo Ekiti, Ekiti East Senatorial Districts”
He stressed that interfacing with the people of Ekiti State was in fulfilment of part of his campaign promises, saying in the future his party would seek their support in another round of elections.
Highlighting his achievements, Governor Oyebanji disclosed that his government had expended a sum of N213 million to lift 2,600 indigent citizens of the state from poverty under social investment component of his administration within the last 100 days.
On Education, the Governor said Model Schools are currently constructed at Ikere and Ikole Local Government Areas, construction and renovation of class rooms across Schools in the state, drilling of bore holes, construction of perimeter fence in schools, provision of bursary to Indigenes of higher institutions from under graduates to post graduates, prompt payment of running grants to both public primary and secondary School teachers and payment of subvention arrears to higher institutions in the state among others.
Governor Oyebanji who stated his interventions on social investment to include: Payment of #96million to 600 beneficiaries and #117 million to 1950 beneficiaries under Ekiti State Livelihood Grant and social transfer Component of Ekiti State Cash Transfer Unit( SCTU), distribution of #24millon and #50million relief materials to victims of rainstorm in Oke- Ako, Ijesa-Isu Ekiti and SNELEI programme.
Also, Oyebanji stated that he had provided potable water through dredging and de- siltation in : Orere River Course along Ikere, Ado, Olaoluwa- Omosanjana – Ureje, Poly Rd and drilling of motorized boreholes in several communities across Local Government Areas in the state.
Affirming his interventions in health sector, Oyebanji has expanded ‘Ulera wa’ Health Insurance from 5 local government to 10 Local Government Areas with 50 thousand beneficiaries, Established 17 Emergency Operations Centres( EOC) across all the Local Government Areas, Established 2 cholera Reference Laboratories at EKSUTH and state specialist Hospital, Ikole among others.
On Rural Development and Agriculture, in a bid to ensure food Security in the state, the governor had rehabilitated 43.4km farm roads across 6 Local Government Areas and had upgraded Wet Market across 7 Local Government Areas. Moreso, he provided 50% subsidy on rice, maize, cassava, cocoa and cashew seeds. He distributed farm inputes to 2279 farmers, supported 1566 farmers with equipments, 25% subsidy on tractorization among others.
While explaining his efforts at attracting investment into the state, Governor Oyebanji said the Independent Power Plant( IPP) had reach 90% completion of 3.5 MW. Adding that reconnection of Erijiyan, Ikogosi and Ikogosi Resort, reconnection of Ayekire and Ekiti East Local Government Areas to National grid are in progress.
Also, Extension of 33KV Network from Omosanjana substation to Baptist and connection of Ilawe 33KV line to Erijiyan – Ikogosi.
The governor who said many roads construction have been completed in Ado Ekiti while work are currently going on in : Igbara- Odo- Ikogosi lined drain road, Ado- Iworokoroad, Ilawe- Erijiyan road, Ikere- Ilawe road, Ajebandele, Deeper life , Shepherd , Omosanjana roads , Ilawe – Igede roads among others.
Governor Oyebanji applauded the support of former governors of the state, sons and daughters of the state home and in diaspora for their unflinching support towards his government, promising not to disappoint them.
The well attended stakeholders Engagement had in attendance: Wife of the Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, Deputy Governor, Chief ( Mrs) Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, Head of Service, Top Government functionaries, handful of traditional rulers, religious leaders, House of Assembly members, Local Government functionaries, market men, women, artisans and civil servants, youths, Drivers Union among others.