The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has cautioned citizens of the state against fighting anyone over politics, saying the scramble for positions shouldn’t be a reason for the citizens to perceive themselves as sworn enemies.
The Governor also said his administration has started providing alternative routes on state roads for motorists to ease inter-state transportation.
He also said his government would actualize the cultivation of over 5,000 hectares of land for farming in the 2025 season to eliminate food scarcity and the spiraling increase in the prices of food commodities in the state.
Oyebanji stated this on Thursday during a Citizens’ Engagement/Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders, held in Aramoko and Ilawe Ekiti for the Ekiti Central and South Senatorial Districts, respectively, in preparation for the 2025 budget of Ekiti State.
The well-attended event was graced by critical stakeholders like traditional rulers, politicians, public servants, Local Government Chairmen, youth groups, market men and women, drivers, religious leaders, and people living with disabilities, among others.
Harping on the imperative of eschewing politics of bitterness, Oyebanji said: “Let me beg all of you as party people, don’t allow politics to divide us as Ekiti people.
“Don’t let us create enemies for ourselves. Ekiti is one, I believe this, and we should all believe it. Let us wait for the right time. At the appropriate time, we will know exactly who is on the ground.”
To resolve the bedlam associated with the deplorable federal roads in the state, Oyebanji declared that state roads identified as comfortable alternatives were being awarded for reconstruction, while those yet to be touched will be captured in the 2025 budgetary provisions.
Underscoring the significance of the consultation, Oyebanji stressed the desire of his administration to be inclusive and participatory so that the government can be strategic in the implementation of its development plans as contained in the citizens’ priority lists.
In 2025, Oyebanji said his government will undertake aggressive work in agriculture, infrastructure, arts and culture, tourism, job creation, the entertainment industry, security, and the payment of salaries to workers to expand the scope of shared prosperity plans.
He said the fact that the demands made by communities last year were being accorded utmost attention by the government signaled that the stakeholders’ meeting is not a mere jamboree, but a pragmatic approach to governance.
“I thank God that since I came on board, I stay connected with our people, which is part of what we are doing today. Though we are in government, we may not know all our problems, so this interaction is necessary. When we wanted votes, we came to you. Nothing should stop us from coming to interact with you.”
He said the state government has not been able to reconstruct or undertake palliative work on some federal roads because such money won’t be refunded. He, however, promised to synergize with federal lawmakers to ensure that those roads are captured in the 2025 budget.
“I am assuring you that the Ado-Ijan road has been captured in the 2024 budget; soon the contractor will be mobilized to the site. But it remains that of Ado-Aramoko-Ita Ore road. All these will be done, but the federal government can only do one federal road this year.
“We are going to create alternative roads by making sure that some state roads that can serve as better alternatives are made motorable. If you are going to Ibadan or Akure, we have provided alternative roads. Let our people continue to use these roads until the situation improves,” Oyebanji said.
Highlighting the inclusion policy of his administration, Governor Oyebanji warned parents against locking any child suffering from any form of disability at home. He urged them to surrender such wards to the government for proper care and monitoring in the special schools and special centers well-equipped for that purpose.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo, in his presentation, revealed that the consultation is an integral part of budget preparation and a leeway to interact with communities and groups to deepen the open governance policy that can benefit the grassroots and society.
At the event, all the representatives of the communities articulated and submitted their demands while applauding Governor Oyebanji for the interactions and commending the government for the implementation of the demands contained in the 2023 and 2024 budgets.
Essentially, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, represented by a scholar, Prof. Michael Akindele, and some traditional rulers applauded the governor for the reconstruction of some strategic roads, reinforcing security, and ensuring flood control measures in their domains.