Date Published: 02/25/10

Oni reiterates commitment to transformation of Ekiti economy

Ekiti State Governor, Engr Segun Oni has reiterated the commitment of his administration to the transformation of the economy of the State, adding that making the State self-sufficient remains a topmost priority of  his administration.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre said in a statement made available to journalists that Governor Oni, while speaking at the commissioning of the Five-Storey Mutual Benefit Assurance Building in Ado-Ekiti, first high-rising building in the newly created Central Business District (CBD) in the State capital, Governor Oni said the state Government was fully committed to doubling the state’s Gross Domestic Product within the next few years

The governor, Oni who identified the  poor state of public utilities in the State as one of the factors responsible for low productivity said efforts of his administration to turn around  public utilities such as public power and water supply have  started to yield positive result  as the132/32 KV substation initiated in Ado-Ekiti  over 37 years ago would be completed within the next one month. He said efforts were in top gear by the State Government to improve the power infrastructure through the provision of six injection substations and a battery of new transformers.

 He stressed that as part of efforts to provide a conducive business climate in the State his administration had just leased out state-owned  water  dams and  water production facilities  to competent private investors as part of efforts to boost water supply adding that the  road density in the state would surpass the West African average by the end of the year when another 400kilometters of asphalt overlaid roads   are completed  and added to the over 300 kilometres of roads  already completed in the last two year


While pledging that his administration would continue to open the frontiers of opportunities for investors wishing to invest in the state, Governor Oni disclosed that Mutual Benefit Assurance would play an important role in the Government Intra State Transport Scheme, which would be launched soon as part of efforts to encourage the company for its massive investment in the state

He disclosed that 40 buses would be purchased for road transport unions under the first phase of the Scheme designed to improve public transportation in the state

 The Governor however lamented the failure of youths and artisans in the state to take advantage of the multibillion Naira projects in the State as reports indicate  that contactors have to bring in both skilled and unskilled labour from neighbouring States to do their sundry jobs.

 He disclosed that the State Government had concluded plans to introduce compulsory industrial attachment for students of technical colleges where they can gain cognate experience and   earn some money during vacation.

Earlier the Chairman of Mutual Benefit Assurance Ltd, Chief Chamberlin Oyibo disclosed that the company which has over22 branches within and outside Nigeria   had employed 200 young graduates who are mainly indigenes of the state as marketers in the last few months.

He stated that the Five-Storey edifice is the largest the company was constructing outside Lagos.