Ekiti State Government has mandated contractors handling the MDGs
projects under the 2012 Millennium Development Goals Conditional Grant
Scheme (MDGs CGS) to make use of local labourers as well as purchase
building materials from the community where projects are being
executed.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Development Relations, Mrs. Bunmi Dipo Salami who made this known during advocacy visits to four local government areas of the state, said the projects are aimed at not only improving the standard of living of the people but to also boost the economic status of the benefitting communities, adding that the projects were based on the immediate needs of the benefitting communities.
Mrs. Dipo-Salami explained that she embarked on the advocacy visits to Ekiti West, Ekiti South West, Efon and Oye LGAs to sensitize the beneficiaries of the on-going N200million per LGA projects. The Special Adviser added that the visit was also to boost collaboration with relevant bodies to ensure the success of the MDGS projects while encouraging community leaders to supervise projects in order to ensure good quality jobs that are the hallmark of the Fayemi led administration. Giving a breakdown of the projects, Mrs. Dipo-Salami explained that thirty-six boreholes are being constructed for some selected public primary schools in Ekiti West Local Government Area while ten motorized boreholes would constructed in various health centers in the council area. She added that classrooms would also be constructed in five public schools as well as V.I.P toilets in some health centers in the area.
According to her, a block of five classrooms are being constructed in five schools in Efon LGA,while two blocks of classrooms would be renovated in two schools in the area. Other projects in Efon LGA as highlighted by Mrs. Salami include construction of twenty hand pump boreholes in twenty schools, provision of one hundred and fifty-three benches for pupils and teachers in six schools. Construction of V.I.P. toilets in twelve health centers, construction of motorized boreholes, renovation of health facilities in five health centers and purchase of one thousand two-hundred and seventy-two medical equipment for fifteen health centers, provision of two ambulances for three centers as well as 1.5 million naira to be given as grant to three agric- business based cooperatives. She noted that Ekiti state government is working assiduously to meet the 2015 target of the Millennium Development goals which are encapsulated in the state government 8- point agenda, adding that contractors handling all MDGs project have two months to complete their jobs or have their contracted revoked. Responding, the Caretaker Chairman of Efon Local Government, Mr. Adio Folayan expressed appreciation to the state government for its efforts at improving the lots of the people at the grassroots.
The LG boss implored contractors handling the projects to execute the contracts according to specification and deliver within the stipulated time. In his remarks, the Ekiti West local Government Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Ropo Famubode who was represented by the Director of Administration, Mr. Aregbesola pledged the continued support of the local government to the efforts of the present administration at eradicating poverty. Also speaking, the Oye LG Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Akindele Ogungbuji urged the benefiting communities to reciprocate government’s gestures by ensuring that the projects are well utilized and maintained.
Last modified: February 17, 2014
