The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, said on Monday that he had, in the last one year, demonstrated commitment to the principles of participatory democracy, inclusive governance and accountable leadership, assuring that he would not deviate from such.
Oyebanji, who said he had made it a duty to meet with Ekiti people every 100 days to give account of government activities and solicit their opinions on the best way they would want to be served, said, “The periodic feedback has given us the opportunity to let them know where we are and where we are going”.
The governor spoke in Ado Ekiti while rendering stewardship in an address tagged, “The State of the State Address” delivered at the State House of Assembly to mark his first year in office.
He said, “In the last one year, we have diligently worked to consolidate the achievements of the past administration and chart new pathways for the development of our beloved state. I am grateful to the Assembly for your timely consideration of our requests at all times”.
Oyebanji, who said his administration prioritised employment generation and wealth creation with sights on private sector investment as the major driver, especially direct investment in agriculture and industrial sector.
He said, “Our vision is to have an economy that is dominated by private sector investment and activities. We are currently one of the least industrialized states in Nigeria, but we want to change this unpleasant profile. A major requirement for industrialization is land availability and regular electricity supply.
“While we are working round the clock to provide access to electricity and other critical infrastructure, I want to appeal to the people of Ekiti to understand that whatever progress we seek in the area of economic development, we require land.
“So, there is the need for all us to cooperate with government to ensure acquisition of land is less controversial and frustrating for investors as it has been frequently experienced”.
He said, “As a state, we are very aggressive in our efforts to mobilize both foreign and domestic investors to our state. I am happy to report that Ekiti is one of five states that has consistently attracted foreign direct investment in the last five years.
“Ekiti State has been audacious in its aspirations. We were recently ranked favourably in the ease of doing business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PBEC) in its 2023 Sub-national Ease of Doing Business report. This recognition reaffirms that Ekiti is on a steady path to continued growth and development”.
The governor assured that his administration would “remain committed to our social contract with Ekiti people. We are in a hurry to ensure an earlier realization of our dream of rapid economic prosperity of Ekiti for all.
“Even though we acknowledge the socioeconomic difficulties that we collectively face as a people at this time, we will do our best to continue to fulfil our aspiration.
“I want to assure our workers that government is mindful of the quest for a wage increase. I therefore appeal to the labour movement to exercise more patience for us to conclude the ongoing review of the situation. We remain committed to every word of our promises to you,” the governor said.
On digital skill and Youth Employment in the State, the Governor said, “We have secured the approval for Ekiti Knowledge Zone as a Free Trade Zone.
“With this, the zone is now ready to play its pioneering role as the leading knowledge-based economic zone. It is anticipated that the initiative will provide over 12,000 jobs for young people in Ekiti, fostering economic growth and prosperity,” he said.
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