Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government is constructing an agro cargo airport to market the state’s economic potentials, facilitate export of cash crops, agribusiness and boost internally generated revenue.
The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, said the airport project would positively change the face of the state, attract investment and create more job opportunities.
Egbeyemi explained that farm produce like cocoa, oil palm, cashew, timber, cassava, rice, plantain and banana where Ekiti has comparative advantage would be better marketed locally and globally when the airport becomes operational.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi disclosed this when he hosted traditional rulers and community leaders from Ilupeju Ekiti and Igbole Ekiti at separate meetings in his office in Ado-Ekiti.
He urged the entire people of Ekiti to support Governor Kayode Fayemi, for the airport project to become a reality noting that it would positively project the state and open it up to more local and foreign investment.
The Deputy Governor said Governor Fayemi runs an inclusive government and was determined to ensure that the people of the state enjoy better standard of living hence the need to support his administration by all and sundry.
Egbeyemi disclosed that many ongoing projects that would add value to the lives of the people and the economy of the state would have been completed by the time the Fayemi administration marks its third year in office.
He said: “People are asking that, can something good come out of Nazareth? Something good can come out of our own Ekiti under the able leadership of our Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi.
“By this time next year, you will see what Ekiti will turn to. Apart from the airport project, we are also working on good roads to our farms, potable water, electricity, creation of more jobs and sustenance of peace in our communities.
“The cargo airport will facilitate export of cash crops and agric produce where we have comparative advantage and generate more revenue into the coffers of the state. Life is getting better under Fayemi.”
He noted that the Governor is passionate about the development of all towns and villages which explains why his administration is executing projects in all nooks and crannies of the state to make all citizens feel the impact of governance.
The Deputy Governor further explained that the Fayemi administration is working hard on projects like good roads to the farmsteads, potable water, electricity, rehabilitation of schools and hospitals, payments of stipends and distribution of food to the indigent elderly and regular and prompt payment of workers’ salaries.
Egbeyemi pointed out that like the people in urban centres, the Governor also wants rural dwellers in remote communities to enjoy better standard of living hence many projects being carried out in such communities.
He used the opportunity of the forum to appeal to all communities in Ekiti to give peace a chance to facilitate development and execution of more people-oriented projects.
The Deputy Governor said government would always collaborate with the traditional institution and community leaders on peace building efforts to realize the goals of taking Ekiti to greater heights in all sectors of the economy.
The delegations from the two communities were led by the Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Oba Olaleye Oniyelu who was represented by the Obanla, Chief Sunday Awe and the Olugbole of Igbole Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adetiloye.
