By Junaid Abdullahi
The Ekiti State Government has approved the construction and establishment of Aso-Oke weaving and market centre for creation of employment opportunities and to improve the socio-economic development of the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun in a statement after the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday noted that a little over N100 million has been approved by the government for the project which will be carried out by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives in collaboration with Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development through Direct Labour.
The Commissioner explained that the administration of Biodun Oyebanji was committed to its agenda on infrastructure and industrialisation, adding that the raw materials needed for the production of the clothes are readily available in the state.
He said, “The centre is tailored to serve as a destination for interested young school leavers to learn and acquire the skills/sales of varieties of Aso-Oke. It will also become a cluster for people involved in the production/sales of clothing material in the state, a boost to the economy of the state as well as revenue generation for the state government. It will further attract tourists to the state.
“Market for the Aso-Oke is readily available both locally and internationally and the materials required for the production are readily available within and around the State. The local technology and skill abound all over the length and breadth of Ekiti State.”
In this vein, Olatunbosun revealed that the state executive council also approved N133.7 million for the renovation of agricultural farm buildings in Erinfun area of the state capital to encourage youths and enhance food security.
He added that the governor has also set up a ten-man committee under the leadership of the commissioner for agriculture, Ebenezer Boluwade to come up with strategies that will help the state to address food crisis.
He disclosed that the council gave approval for the rehabilitation of no fewer than 121 boreholes across the 16 Local Government Areas and the 22 Local Council Development Areas for the sum of N159.5 million.
“The job is to be carried out by the Ekiti State Small Towns, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency through Direct Labour and completed within two weeks.
“The project is being executed through a Performance for Result Financing (P for R) World Bank-supported programme the Sustainable Urban Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (SURWASH) whereby the World Bank will disburse to the State a sum of nineteen dollars ($19.00) only per person for the over thirty thousand (30,0000) citizens expected to consume the water,” he said.
Giving details of other approvals by the council, Olatunbosun said, “ Govt approved a sum of N820,765,029.39 for the construction of the Obisesan – Oke Ala- Basiri Road as part of efforts of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to ensure that all roads in the State are motorable and well maintained.
“This road, when completed, will link the old Iyin road to the new one, ease traffic flow and positively impact businesses, social activities in the area and other road users plying the critical road on a daily basis.
The project, which is approved to be awarded to Messers. WALS &FUNS Nigeria Limited is to be completed in 12 months.
“Exco similarly approved a sum of N60 million for the repair of equipment, purchase of mechanical tools and replacement of faulty spare parts in the Ekiti State Public Works Corporation.
“Ekiti State Public Works Corporation is saddled with the role of constructing, maintaining and undertaking intervention and palliative works on roads in the State through Direct Labour. The aim is to minimise costs by conserving funds while also delivering on infrastructural needs for the development of the state.
“To actualise its crucial objectives, it is expected that the Corporation’s equipment will be put in excellent condition as they will be instrumental to the maintenance of roads across the State.
“The equipment will also be up for hiring to interested private individuals and corporate organizations to increase the government’s revenue. The project is expected to be completed within five weeks.”
