Ilupeju Ekiti has been selected among the twenty-five communities to benefit from Ekiti State Community and Social Development Agency (EKCSDA) assisted by World Bank, to cushion the effects of Covid-19 on People and Communities meant to fund rural projects and alleviate poverty at the grassroots.
The Project Officer, Dr. Sylvester disclosed this at a sensitization programme in Ilupeju Ekiti on Wednesday, highlighted areas covered by Ekiti Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (EK-CARES ) a post-covid-19 federal government programme to include: Education, Health, Erosion, Water and Sanitization.
According to the project Officer,
“(EK-CARES) programme includes;
(1)Education, includes the building and renovation of classrooms, laboratories, library and supply of learning aids.
(2)Health, includes construction of Basic primary health centers, renovation of existing ones or supply of equipment where needed.
(3) Water and Sanitation; this includes drilling of boreholes and water channelization
(4)Erosion control: dredging of water ways, rehabilitation of farm roads or eroded areas”
Explaining what qualifies a community, the Project Officer said, “A community is only entitled to only a total sum of fifteen million naira (#15,000,000) as the projects’ budget envelope, from which at least two different projects must be executed from with a counterpart funding of 2.5% of the total projects’ budget envelope which would serve as a commitment on the part of the community for the project”
“The community would also make provision for Voluntary Land Donation (VLD) for the project with all necessary documents to backup such donation for future reference”
“Other things to be done by the community are : selection of a particular project(s) to be embarked on based on the most popular opinion or votes, and the selection/election of ten members project management committee comprising of not less than four women from which, compulsorily the treasurer must emerge. This committee shall from there be the interface between the community, the project and the Agency. And would make provision for every other necessary requirements for the take off of the project, these include: letters of intention, attestation and commitment to the project and other certificates needed for proper documentation before the disbursement of the project fund which shall be in three tranches”
Responding, the Executive Chairman of Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti, Comrade Babatunde Ogunmilugba, President, Ilupeju Development Associaion Elder Banji Ogungbemi, represented by Pastor Olu Olosunde, Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, represented by Obanla of Ilupeju Ekiti, His Highness Sunday Ogunsola, Chief Esan Ogunleye and Chief D.A Aborisade promised to put forward projects that would benefit the town immensely.
While charging all sons and daughters of Ilupeju Ekiti, His Highness Obanla, Sunday Ogunsola tasked them to give maximum Support to the programmes.He appreciated the team for considering Ilupeju among other towns.
The Project Officer, however told the gathering that their next visit, will proceed to project election and elect the project management committee to oversee the project.
Others at the sensitization programme are: Mr Sola Ogunmiluyi, Ilupeju youth president; Engr. Femi Fagbemi, members of Apeju-in-council, various trade unions and the youths.