JULY 14; THE DAY EKITI PEOPLE BID FAREWELL TO POVERTY, MISRULE
Today, July 15, 2019, marks exactly a year and a day, that the people of Ekiti state bade farewell to the People Democratic Party, (PDP) controlled administration of Mr Ayo Fayose and its impunity, maladministration and ineptitude.
That day last year, the people went to the poll and voted out the anti people government and ushered in a focussed and people- friendly administration of All Progressive Party, (APC) ably represented by Dr Kayode Fayemi.
The APC congratulates the people for using their votes to reshape their destiny and say no to hunger and poverty.
In a statement in Ado Ekiti, the Director of Media and publicity of APC, Elder Sam Oluwalana, admonished the people and prayed that never again shall the state witness such an open brazen disaster.
According to him, in accordance with one of his manifestoes, the people’s values are being restored in less than a year of JKF administration while the hitherto peace of the grave yard has turned to relative peace.
“Ekiti state has moved up from the bottom of value chain, the state is now the hub of investors with many of them showing interest in turning around the economy of the state,” Oluwalana added.
He stated that scrapping of fees in public primary and secondary schools, the school feeding programme, new lease of life for retired public servants with prompt payment of their entitlements as well as massive rehabilitation of roads are some of the visible undertakings of the APC controlled administration.
Already, the State Executive Council has approved the clearing of over 1,554 hectares of Agricultural Land across five Local Government Areas (Oye, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Emure, Ido-Osi and Ilejemeje) to open up the axis for Farming and fulfil its readiness to partner with multilateral donors in developing agriculture in the state.
Elder Oluwalana pointed out that the Fayemi-led administration is determined to nurture and grow the transformational agribusiness value chain, that will enhance food security, employment opportunities and empower women and youths.
This, he said has made Dr Fayemi to meet with development partners and representatives of foreign governments, including China, India and Belarus to bring increased trade, new markets, and sustainable development to Ekiti State.
“The policy direction of the Fayemi-led administration is to reduce poverty, improve living conditions of Ekiti people and mobilize resources for the state’s economic and social development.
The statement continues; ” As part of efforts to realise this laudable vision of transformation in the agricultural sector, the State Government has entered into a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), and International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) to participate in the implementation of FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development (VCDP).
“The objective of the programme is to enhance and improve the income and food security of poor rural households that are engaged in the production, processing and marketing of rice and Cassava on a sustainable basis.
“There is also an agreement with the World Bank/FGN sponsored Agro-processing Productivity Enhancing and Livelihood Improvement Support Programme (APPEALS) with the overall objective of enhancing the transformational Agric Value Chain Development of Ekiti State, particularly in the areas of modernising and upgrading the existing traditional and drudgery propelled agro-processing centres for maximum productivity.
“With the plan to clear a significant land area, the government has shown its commitment to activate the agrarian potential of the state and create more jobs in the agricultural sector,” he stated.
He appealed to the people of the state for their continued cooperation with the administration, assuring that the dividends of democracy will be evenly spread and reach them.