EKSG releases N300 Million for projects in 82 communities
Ekiti State Government has approved
the release of N300 million as grants-in-aid for self-help projects in 82
specific communities and another N197, 250.00 for the execution of other
developmental projects in other various communities across the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Professor
Modupe Adelabu made this disclosure at the opening of a 2-Day Interactive
Workshop on Strategies for Community Transformation which was organized by the
Ministry of Rural Development and Community Empowerment held at Midas Hotels,
Ado-Ekiti.
Professor Adelabu said Governor Kayode
Fayemi created the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Empowerment In
January 2013 with the mandate to enhance sustainable economic , socio-cultural
and political activities of the state in general and the rural area in
particular in line with his administration’s 8-Point Agenda to take development to the grassroots
where over 75 percent of the populace
resides.
She explained that community
transformation as conceived by the present government implied that the
government would focus on improving the living standard of the rural dwellers,
improve rural community leadership capacity and establish better connections in
the implementation of community initiated self-help projects.
While giving the assurance that
every community in the state will benefit from the grants-in-aid programme of
the government, no matter the population or location before the end of the
year, the Deputy Governor reiterated the administration’s commitment to the
provision of basic infrastructure in every community in the state to reduce the
rural-urban drift among youths.
Earlier in his address of welcome,
the Commissioner of the Ministry of Rural Development and Community
Empowerment, Chief Folorunso Olabode said the workshop was very important
because it was one of the strategies put in place by the government to create
awareness and advocacy and as well equip all stake holders in the task of rural
and community development.
He noted that elimination of
poverty also requires the provision of infrastructure and sustainable
livelihood and the involvement of all tiers of the government and the rural
dwellers, hence the need to facilitate and coordinate the intervention of all stakeholders
in the rural areas for efficient and effective service delivery mechanism.
Chief Olabode lauded the leadership
style of Governor Kayode Fayemi and his superb initiative at creating the
Ministry of Rural Development and Community Development, adding that the
ministry is a veritable organ that will make a reality of the governor’s vision
of reducing poverty to the barest minimum and making life bearable for the
generality of Ekiti people.
