HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FAR REACHING DECISIONS TAKEN AT THE EKITI STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY 11TH NOVEMBER, 2024 CHAIRED BY GOVERNOR BIODUN ABAYOMI OYEBANJI.
THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED THE FOLLOWING:

1. AMENDMENT OF THE STATE UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION LAW OF 2022 AND PRESENTATION OF BILL FOR THE AMENDMENT TO THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR LEGISLATIVE PROCESSING, PASSAGE INTO LAW.

The objective of the Bill is to amend the composition of the Education Board to boost service delivery.
The proposed amendment consists amongst others, the composition of Board with:

i. a full-time Chairman of the Board who shall be an experienced educationist to be appointed by the Governor.
ii. a Professional Engineer appointed by the Governor to also serve as member
iii. the Permanent Secretary/Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Board as Secretary to the Board and the Accounting Officer of the Board.

2. PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF EKITI STATE EMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND AND PRESENTATION OF BILL FOR ITS ESTABLISHMENT TO THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR LEGISLATIVE PROCESSING, PASSAGE INTO LAW.

Establishment of the Ekiti State Employment Trust Fund.

The objective is to provide financial support to residents in the State; provide job and wealth creation in order to tackle the problems of unemployment in the State; as well as offer equal opportunities to all citizens in a conducive environment.

The proposed State Employment Trust Fund will be expected to receive, manage and invest in diversified portfolio of medium and long-term assets for the benefit of the present and future Ekiti State indigenes and residents as well as other related matters.

3. CAREER ELONGATION OF UNIVERSITY GRADUATE CADRE OF TEACHERS AT THE STATE UNIVERSAL BASIC EDUCATION BOARD

314 primary school teachers would be opportune to be promoted to GL. 16 with the approval aimed to serve as a “motivating factor” for the University graduate teachers of Primary Schools in the State Universal Basic Education Board for effective performance of their duties.
The approval is part of various education policies and programme of the present administration aimed at fostering high standard of teaching and learning that is driven by qualitative and motivated personnel.
It is also in recognition of the crucial roles of basic education to the growth and progress of the State, and the priority given to qualitative basic education towards achieving sustainable economic development.
The State Government believes there is need for highly motivated teachers at all levels of education and the pivotal roles played by this category of teachers in the development of students’ and the attending outcomes in order to achieve their life objectives cannot be under-estimated.
The State Government had in 2017, approved the creation of Graduate Teacher Cadre and elongation of career progression of teachers that possess University Degree Certificate in Public Primary Schools. The approval granted cognition of relevant University degree as teaching qualifications in the Primary schools and removal of the dichotomy in the career progression of graduate teachers domiciled in the secondary and primary schools.
The new structure is expected to foster well-earned professional recognition within the education sector and promote long-term commitment, professional development and qualitative education, thereby standardizing the education sector of the State for effective service delivery in tandem with the State Human Capital Development agenda of the present administration.

4. ADOPTION OF EXPORT PROMOTION STRATEGY AND GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN EKITI STATE.

The approval is part of strategies aimed at diversifying the State’s trade portfolio to reduce dependence on Federal Monthly Allocation. It also aims to cultivate a resilient and dynamic economy, capable of withstanding national and global economic shifts. Creating this Export Strategy Document involves considerations of some key fact-findings including market analysis, product/ service adaptation, competitive analysis, regulatory and legal considerations, financial projections and budgeting among others.

With the approval, the State Export Promotion Committee will be captured in the 5+7 Supplementary Budget for the current year as required by the World Bank under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER).

5. N61 MILLION FOR PRODUCTION OF 12,000 REFLECTIVE JACKETS AND PERMITS TO ALL COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLE AND TRICYCLE OPERATORS IN EKITI STATE

The approval N61,181,818.18 (sixty one million, one hundred and eighty one thousand, eight hundred and eighteen naira, eighteen kobo) is part of efforts of the present administration to curb insecurity and standardize the operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles.
The reflective jackets and permits will be issued to aid law enforcement in tracking and regulating operators, with a view to ensuring that only authorized individuals are allowed to operate in the State. To achieve this, the State Government aims to conduct enumeration of all operators to develop a comprehensive database.
The State Government is fully committed to the safety and general well-being of people in the State and had been closely monitoring commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators towards enhancing security in the State.
The job would be executed in line with Direct Procurement Method by TEMPLE SYC INSPECTION LIMITED who has a proven track record in the State and has been managing revenue collection for road worthiness for the State Government. It was considered an advantage to utilize its existing system in generating a comprehensive database for the State.

6. N146,354,093.10 (ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY SIX MILLION, THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FOUR THOUSAND, NINETY THREE NAIRA, TEN KOBO) AS 1ST TRANCHE OF COMPENSATION TO FORTY-SIX (46) CLAIMANTS WHOSE CROPS, ECONOMIC TREES AND UNEXHAUSTED IMPROVEMENTS ARE ON THE EXCISED PORTION THE ODUA INVESTMENT COMPANY LAND EXCISION AT OKE -AKO COMMUNITY.

The revocation of the Rights/Interest of the Odua Investment Company Limited subsisting on a large parcel of land at Oke-Ako Community in the Ajoni Local Council Development Authority in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti-State is in consonance with Agricultural and Rural Development agenda of the present administration.

A total of 8,283.570 hectares of land at Oke-Ako Community belonging to the Oodua Investment Company Limited which was to be utilized by the Company for integrated Agro Business that could lift the local economy with significant economic and social impact on the State now pose security threats to Oke-Ako and its neighbouring communities due to its abandonment for decades.

The State Government has therefore decided to economically engage a substantial proportion of the land for Agricultural purposes.

7. N85,560,653.95 (EIGHTY FIVE MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED AND FIFTY THREE NAIRA, NINETY FIVE KOBO) FOR THE EXPANSION OF EKITI BROILERS PRODUCTION SCHEME FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT EXERCISE.

The present Administration is making significant strides in promoting agriculture and rural development, particularly in poultry production. The State Government has successfully raised 40,000 broilers within a year in batches of 10,000 broilers per cycle in Ekiti Central Senatorial District through recruitment of 37 participants selected in the 16 Local Government Areas of the State in just one year, generating a profit of N19,000,0000.00 (nineteen million naira only) which was shared among the participants to help them establish their own poultry businesses.

The approval is to enable the State Government expand the programme to Ekiti North Senatorial District of the State, with a view to ensuring that youths in the area benefit from the initiative without needing to travel to Ado Ekiti.

8. N164,728,355.22 (ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FOUR MILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY EIGHT THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FIVE NAIRA, TWENTY TWO KOBO) FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR STREETLIGHT AT GRA 3RD EXTENSION, OFF NTA ROAD, ADO-EKITI AND
9. N236,993,038.59 (TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX MILLION, NINE HUNDRED AND NINETY THREE THOUSAND,THIRTY EIGHT NAIRA, FIFTY NINE KOBO) FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR STREETLIGHT FROM FAGLO AREA, OLD IYIN ROAD TO IJADU JUNCTION, ADO EKITI

It was considered imperative to illuminate the access roads that were recently constructed in the area as part of the developmental efforts of the present administration to provide, among other benefits, ease of access to the major roads for the occupying citizens.

Illuminating the inter-linked road with solar streetlights is to enhance safety, security and boost economic activities around the axis in alignment with the current minimum standard of the administration on newly constructed or rehabilitated roads.

The installation of solar streetlight on both roads will be executed by the Ekiti State Electricity Board (EKSEB) considered to have competent and qualified personnel to handle the job through Direct Labour and are expected to be completed within three months

10. N70,449,629.30 (SEVENTY MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY NINE THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY NINE NAIRA, THIRTY KOBO) FOR THE INSTALLATION OF TRANSFORMER AND EXTENSION OF LOW TENSION NETWORK AT OSEKITA AREA, IWOROKO EKITI.

Osekita community, Iworoko Ekiti, is a fast-developing but unserved community in the neighborhood of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. The community, despite being heavily populated by students of the University and many Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), has been without electricity for several years, thereby undermining its ability to attain full economic potentials.
The approval is in line with the on-going efforts of the Administration to improve electricity access for citizens across the State and the job is to be carried out by the Ekiti State Electricity Board (EKSEB) within three months.

11. N62,884,379.30 (SIXTY TWO MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY NINE NAIRA, THIRTY KOBO) FOR THE EXTENSION OF ELECTRICITY AND INSTALLATION OF TRANSFORMEAT THE EFON ALAAYE WATER TREATMENT PLANT (WTP) OF THE EKITI STATE WATER CORPORATION.

The approval to provide a dedicated transformer for the Water Treatment Plant at Efon-Alaaye is aimed at addressing the problem and improve water supply to the area.
Water supply from the Ekiti State Water Corporation’s Efon Alaaye Water Treatment Plant has been a concern for the recipient communities, stemming from the plant’s reliance on a community distribution transformer which provides low-quality power.
The job is to be carried out by the Ekiti State Electricity Board (EKSEB) and completed within three months.

12. N113,017,350.00 (ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN MILLION, SEVENTEEN THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY NAIRA) FOR THE EXTENSION OF ELECTRICITY AND INSTALLATION OF TRANSFORMER AT IDI-AAGBA COMMUNITY, OFF ILAWE ROAD, ADO-EKITI

Idi-Aagba is also a rapidly developing community that is located along Ilawe road, Ado-Ekiti. The community, being unserved and in need of electricity supply, had written to request the assistance of the State Government in that respect, after which the Governor directed the Ekiti State Electricity Board (EKSEB) to conduct an electrical survey of the location for recommendation. The community was surveyed and installation of a 500kVA transformer was recommended.

The approval for the job is to be carried out by the Ekiti State Electricity Board (EKSEB) and completed within three months is in line with the Infrastructure and Industrialization agenda of the present administration.

13. N285,627,500.00 (TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIVE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED NAIRA) FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF THE 1ST BATCH OF FURNITURE ITEMS AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT.

The approval covers the first batch out of six batches expected to be acquired on a prorated basis.
The items are to replace the old and obsolete furniture items and office equipment in the various MDAs in the State Public Service to enhance workers’ efficiency and effectiveness on the job

14. N152,800,000.00 (ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-TWO MILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND NAIRA) FOR RENEWAL OF CONTRACT WITH PLATINUM BEAM CONCEPT NIGERIA LIMITED AS FACILITY MANAGER FOR THE GENERAL CLEANING/MAINTENANCE OF THE OLD AND NEW GOVERNOR’S OFFICES, GOVERNMENT HOUSE/CHALETS AND ADUNNI OLAYINKA WOMEN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE.

Platinum Beam Concept Nigeria Limited which had been handling the contract for the past five years. However, following the expiration of the subsisting Facility Management Contract on 31st March,2024 and series of negotiation by the State Contract Renegotiation Committee with due consideration to the rising cost occasioned by galloping inflation and the newly approved minimum wage, the sum of N152,800,000.00 was approved for the re-engagement of the Facility Management for another year with effect from 1st April,2024 to 31st March, 2025.

15. N194,179,297.30 (ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY FOUR MILLION, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY NINE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY SEVEN NAIRA, THIRTY KOBO) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION-OF 9-BLOCKS-OF-5-UNITS-EACH-OF TOILETS/BATHS AT THE NYSC ORIENTATION CAMP, EMURE/ISE/ORUN EKITI.

The approval was consequent upon the unfortunate incident of the collapse of a block of toilets/baths building at NYSC Orientation Camp at Emure/Ise/Orun Ekiti couple with the bad condition of other buildings meant for Toilets/baths at the Camp ground and the subsequent directive of Governor Oyebanji ordering an immediate construction of nine new blocks of public conveniences comprising five toilet facilities and five bathrooms each, making a total of 45 toilets and 45 bathrooms at the camp.
The project is to be executed by the Bureau of Special Projects through Direct Labour and completed within 12weeks.

16. AWARD OF CONTRACT OF N221,600,000.00 (TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY ONE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND NAIRA) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION SYSTEM (LMIS) TO YOKE SOLUTIONS LIMITED

The Labour Market Information System (LMIS) is a network that collects, analyzes, and shares information about the labor market and used by a variety of stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, students, and employers, to make informed decisions about the labor market.
The development of Labour Market Information System is needed for provision of a network of institutions, persons and information to facilitate the production, storage, dissemination and use of labour market-related information and results
It is particularly useful to students and parents to make informed career choices while governments also use it to make decisions about labor market policy.
The approval is in conformity with the State Government’s commitment to youth development and job creation in Ekiti State aimed at fostering wealth creation, employment, economic growth and socio-economic development, while generating revenue for the State.

17. AWARD OF N767,863,376.76 CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ILAWE-ERIJINYAN LINK ROAD TO MESSRS. WALS AND FUNS NIGERIA LIMITED

The approval is in continuation of the present administration’s commitment to the development of infrastructure in the State. When completed, the road will reduce travel time to Erijiyan Ekiti cum Ikogosi Ekiti and its environs which will, in turn, enhance agri-business, food production and socio-economic activities of the area. It will also serve as an alternative road to Erijiyan-Ikogosi axis.

The project is expected to be completed within six months

18. AWARD OF N1,158,064,489.66 (ONE BILLION, ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY EIGHT MILLION, SIXTY FOUR THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY NINE NAIRA, SIXTY SIX KOBO) CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ORI AGERE-IJOKA-OKE AGE AND REHABILITATION OF IDOLOFIN-YAWEH ROADS, ADO EKITI
    The approval is also in furtherance to the strong commitment to the development of infrastructure in Ekiti State in line with the six (6) pillars of the present administration.
    The project is part of measures put in place to ease the traffic congestion along business district area and the flyover section. It is expected to serve as a link road between Oja Oba and Oke Ila-Afao road. This in turn will enhance socio-economic activities within the area and Ado Ekiti at large.
    The project to be awarded to Messrs. Banky Pacesetter Nigeria Limited and given eight month to execute.
19. N7,007,256,601.24 (SEVEN BILLION, SEVEN MILLION, TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY SIX THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED AND ONE NAIRA, TWENTY FOUR KOBO) FOR ADDITIONAL WORKS ON THE REHABILITATION OF IGBARA-ODO-IKOGOSI ROAD.
    The contract for the Rehabilitation of Igbara Odo-Ikogosi Road was awarded to Messrs. Dortmund and Company Limited on 14th June, 2023 at a sum of N708,816,916.22 (Seven hundred and eight million, eight hundred and sixteen thousand, nine hundred and sixteen naira, twenty two kobo). However, due to the review of rates on contracts in the State, the contract was reviewed upward to N1,077,401,713.00 (One billion, seventy seven million, four hundred and one thousand, seven hundred and thirteen naira). The contractor has substantially completed the original work, but additional tasks are necessary to address failing road portions requiring asphalt overlay. Hence the new approval of N 7,007,256,601.24.
    The contractor has been given eight months to complete the job.
20. N7,875,939,784.05 (SEVEN BILLION, EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE MILLION, NINE HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINE THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR NAIRA, FIVE KOBO) FOR THE REHABILITATION OF ITAWURE-OKEMESI ROAD
    The road which had been severely damaged by water logging and its rehabilitation will greatly alleviate the hardship faced by the people due to the poor road network, boost economic activities in the area and enhance the overall safety and security along the road.
    The contract is to be awarded to Messrs. K.K Hassan Ltd. and has 12months for the execution.
21. N2,708,595,286.49 (TWO BILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHT MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED AND NINETY- FIVE THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SIX NAIRA, FORTY NINE KOBO) FOR ADDITIONAL WORKS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRA 3RD EXTENSION ROAD, PHASE III (AJILA JAKANDE CRESCENT-TAJ SUITES HOTEL ROAD), ADO-EKITI
    The contract for the construction of GRA 3rd Extension roads, Phases I and Il were awarded to Messrs. Rudy Construction Company, who has substantially completed phase I and has done substantial work on the Phase II of the road. However, it was observed during inspection visit to the project site that the hilly terrain and rainfall may lead to potential erosion issues. To prevent project failure, the adjoining roads (Ajila-Jakande Crescent-TAJ Suites Hotel) were therefore reclassified as GRA 3rd Extension Road Phase lll scheduled for attention.
    Contract for the additional works is to be awarded to the contractor handling the initial works, Messrs. Rudy Construction Company and given nine months to execute.
22. N4,766,491,424.27 (FOUR BILLION, SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR NAIRA, TWENTY SEVEN KOBO) FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF IKOGOSI TOWNSHIP ROADS
23. In furtherance to the infrastructure development agenda of Governor Oyebanji administration and considering that Ikogosi hosts one of the main tourism sites in the State, approval was given for the reconstruction of Ikogosi Township roads including the Warm Spring link road, Erigbe road, Inuja road/Okeigbala road/Deeper life, Okelele road, Erigbe/Okeoji road and Warm Spring Chalets.
    The job is to be awarded to Messrs. Wals and Funs Nigeria Limited and completed within 18months.
24. N196,246,137.50 (ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY SIX MILLION, TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY SIX THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SEVEN NAIRA, FIFTY KOBO) FOR DREDGING OF RIVER COURSES IN ADO, AIYEKIRE, EKITI SOUTH WEST, EKITI WEST, IDO OSI, ISE/EMURE & MOBA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF EKITI STATE.

The approval is in continuation of proactive preventive steps by the Oyebanji administration to combat flooding by addressing environmental concerns and promoting safety of people in the State.
The expansion of flood and erosion control activities of the Ekiti State Environmental Protection and Watershed Management Agency to seven additional Local Government Areas is to mitigate destructive effects of floods and safeguard the lives and property within the state.
The job is to be executed within six months by the Ekiti State Environmental Protection and Watershed Management Agency through direct labour.

24. N195,633,011.81 (ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY FIVE MILLION, SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY THREE THOUSAND, ELEVEN NAIRA, EIGHTY ONE KOBO) FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR STREETLIGHTS FROM DE-HEAD AREA,EKSU ROAD TO OLORUNSOGO ZONE,ADO EKITI

The approval is in continuation of the policy of the present administration to illuminate all roads constructed in the State as part of efforts to enhance safety, security and boost economic activities around the axis in alignment with the current minimum standard of the administration on newly constructed or rehabilitated roads.

The installation of solar streetlight on the road will be executed by the Ekiti State Electricity Board (EKSEB) considered to have competent and qualified personnel to handle the job through Direct Labour and are expected to be completed within three months

25. N522,984,000.00 (FIVE HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO MILLION, NINE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FOUR THOUSAND NAIRA) FOR THE PURCHASE OF 16 UNITS OF 500KVA, 11/0.415KV TRANSFORMERS

The present administration had made electricity access for unserved and underserved communities as one of its core objectives since inception as evident in the waves of electricity intervention projects it had undergone in various communities in the State. However several communities still face electricity-related issues. The request to the State Government for assistance on the provision of new or replacement of damaged transformers had become a recurring matter.
The purchase of 16 units of transformers is therefore a proactive cost-saving anticipatory buying approach particularly with the prevalence of price instability induced by galloping inflation in the country.
The contract is to be executed by Okiki-Jesu Engineering Nigeria Limited and delivered within three months.

    Signed

Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun
Commissioner for Information