A traditional ruler in Ekiti State and the Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, in Gbonyin Local Government Area, Oba Adebanji Aladesuyi, has described the completion of the Ekiti State International Agro-allied Cargo Airport as a loud testimony to Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s desire to lift the state out of poverty and infrastructure deficit.
In the same vein, the monarch, lauded Governor Oyebanji for paying the compensations to Ijan farmers, whose lands were acquired to effect the airport project.
The traditional ruler gave the commendation in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, while leading a delegation from his community to interface with the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye on the progress of his town.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Victor Ogunje, said the monarch showered encomiums on the governor for completing the airport project speedily, saying the facility will surely boost the local economy of his community when fully operational.
“Our people are so happy, essentially for that Airport project that has been completed. In most cases, a gigantic project like this was often being abandoned the way some governments have done in the past, but this government defied this bad trend and completed it.
“It is not only the airport, even the General Hospital in Ijan Ekiti is better than when it was established some years back. The renovation carried out on the facility has given it a facelift.
“We have also got some solar streetlights to bring better illumination and nightlife. We are grateful that the dualisation of Ado- Ijan- Ikare road has begun, among other areas that we have benefited from this government . My people are grateful to you”, the monarch said.
Presenting the town’s requests, the monarch, appealed to the government to provide more transformers to the community for better electricity supply that will attract investments, saying only two out of the six transformers in the town are functional.
To avert crisis and eliminate unwarranted extortion, Oba Aladesuyi, urged Governor Oyebanji to eliminate bulk and estimated electricity billings in the town, saying this was causing a lot of rancour and suspicion in the community.
He appealed to government for the construction of Ijan-Ikere road to expose the agriculture potentials of the region known for the production of economic crops like cocoa and kolanut.
For better protection of the town’s heritage, Oba Aladesuyi, urged the government to help in the perimeter fencing of the Onijan Palace to prevent unnecessary encroachment and incursion.
The monarch also called for the completion of the skills acquisition centre in the town, where youths can acquired vocations and entrepreneurial trainings that can enhance their potentials and curtail crime.
“We also want the market stalls to be renovated and expanded, so that our women and market men can have more spaces to operate in the market”.
In the area of security, the traditional ruler called for more personnel to man the police station built in the town for improved security and reduction of social vices.
“We appeal to government to consider all these projects, so that the socio economic lives of my people can change for better. We are with this government, we will continue to support you to succeed”, the monarch pledged.
For improved scholarship, the traditional ruler called for expeditious renovation of some dilapidated buildings at Saint Paul’s and Saint Sila’s Anglican Primary schools in the town, while new structures should be provided to accommodate more pupils.
Lending his voice, a community leader and prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Ropo Adesanya, commended Oyebanji for championing robust rural development programme, urging the government to help in the dredging of Eri Stream in Ijan Ekiti, for improved ecological control.
However, the Chairman of the Gbonyin Local Council Development Area, Hon. Oluwadamilare Ajayi, said governor Oyebanji has approved funds for the grading of rural and community roads in the LCDA, while efforts are on to ensure the schools and market stalls are renovated.
In his response, Mrs Afuye commended the community for partnering government to fasttrack development across the state, promising to convey all their demands to the governor for expeditious action.
On the apprehension raised over electricity billings, Mrs Afuye stated that the government is already working with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) on how to ensure that prepaid Meters are made available to the people to phase out the regime of estimated and bulk billings .
“We need you and the entire community to help the government. The government can’t do everything. Please, help us appeal to your elite and other well meaning indigenes to also contribute in providing some of the facilities in your town.
“Governor Oyebanji sought the votes of Ekiti people with the expectation that he would make their lives better. I want to assure you that we won’t disappoint you. Even some of your requests had already been taken care of through the council going by the account rendered by your LCDA Chairman”.