Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has distributed cheques worth N194.3 million to 37 communities in the State for the completion of selected uncompleted community self-help projects.

Distributing the cheques in Ado Ekiti on Monday, Governor Fayemi stated that the 37 World Bank-assisted projects were initiated during his first tenure but were “regrettably abandoned” by the previous administration, adding that his administration, being a responsive government, cannot allow abandoned projects litter the state.

The Governor said he had recalled contractors handling abandoned 5km roads across the state in order to ensure that the roads are completed for the use of the people.

Fayemi said though 82 projects were presented, only 37 fell within the World Bank sponsorship guidelines; adding that the remaining projects would receive the attention of the state government.

“I am happy to inform you that attention is being placed on the new requests you have submitted during my last meeting with Town Unions/Community Development Associations’ chairmen and secretaries.

“As part of the resolution arrived at the meeting, very soon, the programme would accommodate more communities. We promise to make life more meaningful for our people and we are poised to fulfil our own part of the accord,” he said.

Governor Fayemi solicited the continued support for the “overall success of his administration and “that of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

In his speech, the General Manager of the State Community and Social Development Agency (EKCSDA), Mr. Steve Bamisaye, commended Governor Fayemi for facilitating the World Bank’s support for the project; saying that the governor’s “robust relationship with donor agencies” will bring about rapid grassroots development.

Bamisaye said the projects will boost the economy of the benefitting communities because the Community Project Management Committees have been mandated to engage local bricklayers and carpenters to give room for local content in the implementation of the projects.

Responding on behalf of the 37 benefiting communities, the Onisan of Isan, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, expressed appreciation with the Governor for the gesture and promised that the communities would make judicious use of the funds.

The monarch urged the government to continue to seek more inter-governmental assistance on behalf of the communities in its quest to develop the state.

Meanwhile, Governor Fayemi said his administration has paid N3.3 billion as the state’s counterpart funding for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) intervention projects.

The Governor made this known in Ado- Ekiti on Monday, while flagging off the distribution of working and instructional materials worth N30 Million to public schools across the State to further enhance leaning.

Dr Fayemi who highlighted some of the investments of his administration in the education sector listed the approval for the payment of N146 million as allowances to teachers, payment of part of the outstanding salary arrears and allowances owed by the last administration and, approval for the payment of rural posting and core subject allowances among others.

He said these steps were geared towards making teaching and learning conducive “in affirmation of our professed determination in restoring the values of Ekiti”.

The Governor said: “It saddens my heart to hear that primary schools in Ekiti State have not been given instructional and working materials since 2016. This is not a good way to achieve effective teaching and learning by our esteem teachers and pupils. The importance of instructional materials in any classroom academic process is more than meet the ordinary eye.

“It is to improve pupils’ knowledge, abilities and skills, monitor the assimilation of information, contribute to the overall development of the pupils and subsequently improve pupils learning outcomes and achievement.”

According to Dr. Fayemi, the materials distributed include 17 units of motorcycles, 2,000 cartons of chalk, 450 cartons of red biro, 450 cartons of blue biro, 13,000 copies of diaries; 13,000 copies of registers; 2,000 copies of time books and 150 building blocks.

Others are photocopiers, 75 counting cards, 100 mathematical set, 100 world globe and 100 sets of plastic round tables and chairs.

The Governor added that efforts were in top gear for the supply of computers for e-learning and other relevant instructional materials to enable all Ekiti public schools compete favourably with other states in Nigeria.

•Photo shows Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, being greeted warmly by Primary school pupils during the flag off of distribution of instructional materials to primary schools in Ado-Ekiti . . . on Monday

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