By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has declared that his administration is not owing workers a dime.
The Governor said his administration had also paid all deductions since it came on board barely a year ago.
The Governor spoke in Ado-Ekiti, when he presented before the State House of Assembly members his account of stewardship, otherwise known as ‘State of the State Address’ in the last one year in office.
“As for the welfare of our workers, we have kept to our promises. We are not owing any salaries and we have paid all deductions since we came on board. So far, we have paid over N10,210,792,973.88 as monthly pension while a total sum of N385,000,000.00 has been paid as gratuity at the local government level and N700 million as gratuities to State’s pensioners.
“I have also approved another sum of N500 million to be paid any moment from now for State’s pensioners. We have also made the sum of N288,300,000 available as car loans to the State public service and N267.07 million as housing loans to 1,901 beneficiaries.
“We have also recapitalized the Local Government Loans Board to enable the local government staff benefit,” he stated.
On human capital development in the State, the Governor said”so far, a sum of N6.2 billion has been released as subventions to the higher institutions in the State.
“The State has paid bursary awards to 167 indigenes of Ekiti State in the Nigerian Law School. Government has also paid on compassionate grounds, N2,083,400:00 as financial assistance to some 15 vulnerable girls to complete their education.
“Similarly, we are currently processing bursary and scholarship payment for the 2023/2024 academic session to post graduate students of Ekiti origin.”
On digital skill and Youth Employment in the State,the Governor said: “We have secured the approval of Ekiti Knowledge Zone as a Free Trade Zone.
“With this, the zone is now ready to play it’s pioneering role as the leading knowledge-based economic zone. It is anticipated that the initiative will provide over 12,000 jobs for young people in Ekiti,fostering economic growth and prosperity.
On Power Infrastructure, the Governor said “I am glad to report now that we have reconnected Ijan, Ilumooba, Aisegba, Agbado,Imesi,Ode,Isinbode,Egbe,Iro-Ayeteju, Omuo, Kota, all in Ayekire/Gbonyin and Ekiti LGA to the national grid. Similarly, we have reconnected Erinjiyan, Ikogosi Warm Springs and Resort and Ipole-Iloro to the grid.”
