….Inaugurates Projects in Ajoni LCDA
Leyoo Ajeokun
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has expressed delight on what she described as competition for execution and commissioning of projects among local government chairmen in the state.
Dr. Oyebanji who revealed that her office has been inundated with invitations from the council chairmen for inauguration of projects described the competition as healthy for the development of Ekiti State and better standard of living for people at grassroots.
Speaking at commissioning of projects in communities in Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA) executed under the leadership of the Chairman, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, Dr. Oyebanji canvassed for more support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji whom he described as a believer in grassroots development.
The First Lady explained that access to more funds by local governments and local council development areas has strengthened them to perform ther obligation to the people at the grassroots.
Dr. Oyebanji said Ekiti State is one of the states where local governments get what is due to them financially noting that access to more funds has empowered the councils to execute quality projects in the interest of the people.
Projects commissioned in Ajoni LCDA by the First Lady included 5 lock-up shops at Owode Yam Market, Ipao Ekiti, 10 Open Market Stalls at Irele Ekiti Community Market, 10 Open Market Stalls at Ijowa Ekiti Community Market and 5 lock-up shops Iyemero Ekiti Main Market.
Other projects inaugurated for public use by the First Lady included 5 reconstructed lock-up shops at Oke Ayedun Community Market, solar streetlight projects in Oke Ayedun, 5 reconstructed lock-up shops at Odo Ayedun Community Market.
Dr. Oyebanji also performed the foundation laying ceremony of Ajoni LCDA Administrative Building and also held at interactive session with the people who were full of praises for the Oyebanji Administration for being people-oriented.
She presided over the distribution of cash gifts and food items to 100 indigent widows and orphans, market women and All Progressives Congress (APC) women leaders across the wards in the LCDA which was sponsored by the Chairman’s wife, Mrs. Olayinka Ogungbemi.
The First Lady explained that there is no council area in the state where the positive impact of the Oyebanji Administration is not felt which she attributed to the governor’s resolve to reposition and strengthen the local government system financially to be responsive to the needs of the people.
She said: “Execution and commissioning of projects in Ekiti State has now become a competition among the local government chairmen which is healthy for our state. It was recently reported in the media that Ekiti and two other states are the best in ensuring the release of funds to the local governments.
“This will make the local governments to execute more projects and take care of this people in the grassroots. I want you to keep on praying for our governor so that all of us will benefit from the government.”
The state APC Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotoso, said Ekiti has been a better state under the leadership of Governor Oyebanji whom he said has given local governments more attention opportunities to flourish in a seamless manner.
He said the Governor and his wife have brought smiles to the faces of the people of the state noting that the prediction of former Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi that his successor would perform better than him is already coming to fulfillment less than a year in office.
The APC boss also hailed the Ajoni LCDA Chairman, Prince Ogungbemi, describing the council boss as a performer and grassroots political leader who is well loved by the people he leads.
Barrister Omotoso said the party had not regretted nominating Prince Ogungbemi for the council chairmanship seat saying APC is very proud to have produced the governor and the council boss who are living up to the expectations of their people.
The LCDA boss, Prince Ogungbemi, said the projects commissioned by the First Lady were constructed to boost the economy of the areas where they are domiciled noting thay they became possible because the Governor has made more funds available to the councils.
Prince Ogungbemi revealed the Owode Yam Market at Ipao attracts buyers from Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara and other states which necessitated the execution of the project to provide an environment that is more conducive for market women and their customers to ply their grade.
He pledged the support of the people of the LCDA for the Oyebanji Administration adding that their support for him and his party, the APC, has made the successes recorded by his administration possible.
An APC leader and former Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Chief Samuel Abejide, urged the state government to turn the market to an international market to boost the economy of the axis.
He praised Governor Oyebanji for executing policies that the people of the state are happy with urging for more support for the APC-led administration to sustain the momentum of development.