THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED THE FOLLOWING:
1. Implementation of Ekiti State Youth Policy.
The Policy is a coordinated framework formulated to guide the development and implementation of interventions that will build and empower the youth for national development.
It is an all-inclusive, integrated and coherent youth development, spanning from 2024 to 2028 which is expected to be implemented by all stakeholders in the public and private sectors, State and Non-State actors as well as organizations and individuals.
It outlines the lofty goals and vision the State has for its Youth population and provides a general framework for the State to create an enabling environment for Youth to realize their potentials.
It will also serve as an agreement between the Youth and the state while demonstrating the State’s commitment to improving the Youth’s prospects.
The policy statement elucidates the obligations of both the Youth and the State, outlining their roles and functions.
The Government of Ekiti State, through the Ministry of Youth development, will work assiduously with stakeholders to ensure that all components of the policy are effectively and efficiently implemented and coordinated.
The policy was formulated in line with the present Administration’s commitment to youth development and its recognition of the youth as an important asset in nation-building, the State Government is determined to harness its youth demographic dividend through increased investment in issues affecting them and tailored to address pressing issues impacting the youths, including economic exclusion, harmful socio-cultural practices, skills mismatch, low participation in governance, limited access to health services and insufficient support services.
2. A repeal of the Ekiti State Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector Law NO.2 of 2021 and reenactment of the Ekiti State Water Resources, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector Law, 2024 and other related matters.
Presentation of the Bill to the Ekiti State House of Assembly for legislative processing and subsequent passage into law.
The proposed law shall apply to Ekiti State Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector and the Agencies, Associations, Committees and Persons that regulate, provide and access WASH services which includes among others;
(i) Ekiti Water and Sewerage Company Limited;
(ii) Ekiti State Small Towns, Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Agency (EKSTRUWASHA);
(iii) Ekiti State Water and Sanitation Regulatory Agency (WASRA);
(iv) Ekiti State Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Steering Committee;
(v) Ekiti State Integrated Water Resources Management Committee;
(vi) Ekiti State Wash Fund (EKWF);
(vii) Water Consumer Associations and Water Users’ Association;
(viii) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Services Providers and
(ix) Water Well Drillers
The approval is part of the ongoing reforms of the water sector aimed at boosting service delivery.
3. A sum of N3,113,554,788.10 (of three billion, one hundred and thirteen million, five hundred and fifty-four thousand, seven hundred and eighty-eight naira, ten kobo only) for the supply and installation of medical equipment at the multipurpose building at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti (EKSUTH).
You will recall that the State Government through the Ministry of Health and Human Services is constructing a multipurpose building at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti (EKSUTH) as part of efforts to enhance service delivery. To ensure the building’s functional use, it is imperative to equip the building with modern medical equipment which is consistent with the broader vision of the State Government to improve Human Capital Development.
The contract is to be awarded to Messrs. Standard Electro-Medical Equipment Company Limited and paid N1,868,132,872.86 (one billion, eight hundred and sixty-eight million, one hundred and thirty-two thousand, eight hundred and seventy-two naira, eighty-six kobo only) only as 60% mobilization fee for the project upon the submission of an Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) or Insurance bond, while subsequent payment will be based on milestone achieved on the job.
The job is expected to be completed within 15weeks.
4. A total sum of N223,886,228.78 being N95,709,682.43 for goods and N128,176,546.35 as Facilitator’s fees for the provision of essential equipment and facilities to implement and ensure smooth running of the MSME/ICT hub project.
Following the 3rd Expanded National MSME Clinic held in June, 2024, where His Excellency, Vice President Senator Kassim Shettima announced the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of MSME/ICT Hub in Ekiti State to enhance the operations, activities and boost economic development of MSMEs in the State, the State Government, under the Leadership of His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, decided to expand the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME)/ICT to support viable enterprises in the State.
The Office of Job Creation and MSMEs under the Office of the Vice President has also provided computer systems and a 100KVA generating set which the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperative has taken delivery of to kick-start the initiative.
The State Government is therefore implementing the MSME/ICT project with the provision of essential equipment and facilities to ensure the smooth running of the MSME/ICT hub and engagement of the African Institute of Technology and Innovation (AITI) in partnership to facilitate the training and placement of participants in (high-demand technological skills), thereby enhancing employment opportunities and promoting the digital and economic development of the State.
The contracts are to be awarded to Messer. El Campeon Global and Messer. Royal Fintech Consultancy Limited with 80% of the contract sum to be paid as mobilization fees for the projects upon the submission of APG or Issuance Bond.
5. Incorporation of ILU EYE AGRO-TRADING & AGGREGATION CO. LTD with a minimum share capital of N2Billion as STATE OWNED ENTITY
The approval was premised on the present administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring food security across the State. In March this year, the State Executive Council had set up a Food Security Committee under the chairmanship of the State Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security and one of the key recommendations from the committee was that the state-should-set-up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to buy back and aggregate agricultural products from the farmers during harvest period, store and sell them later to the populace through a structured process. The establishment of Ilu Eye Agro Trading and Aggregation Company Limited is a testament to the government’s dedication to create food security and a sustainable food system in the state and a significant stride towards achieving the desired goals.
The company is a commodity aggregation entity established to support the state investment at the upstream through a well-structured downstream operations and will be responsible to the buyback of some selected agricultural commodities like rice paddy, beans, maize, garri and palm oil from the farmsteads across the State. This will prevent the activities of middlemen who usually come from outside the State to rip off the farmers.
This company will buy agricultural commodities during the harvest, store in a good atmospheric condition and make it available to the special food markets that will be created in the State during the off season. This will help the State to bend the food inflation curve.
The State-owned Enterprise which has been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and will be managed by the State Government, with plans to open up opportunities for private sector participation in the nearest future.
6. N234,468,218.50 (two hundred and thirty-four million, four hundred and sixty-eight thousand, two hundred and eighteen naira, fifty kobo only) for the construction of six security houses and renovation of two existing buildings as security houses at some selected farm settlements in the State.
The approval is part of Government’s proactive step to secure farm settlements in the State which are valuable businesses that attracts theft and vandalism, given their remote locations in order to safeguard farmers and their livelihood.
The contract to be awarded to Samuel Animawun Limited is to be executed within three months.
7. N264,800,000.00 (two hundred and sixty-four million, eight hundred thousand naira only) for land clearing to support youth in agriculture, the exercise will involve clearing of 200 hectares of land for some interested youths in Ado and Ekiti-West Local Governments, with both the State and the Local Governments splitting the cost evenly at the sum of N132,400,000.00 (one hundred and thirty two million, four hundred thousand naira only).
Please note that these selected Local Governments had expressed interest in the Youth In Agriculture programme, demonstrating their commitment to promoting agricultural development among the youths.
The approval is a demonstration of the unwavering resolve and commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to transforming the Agriculture Sector through empowerment of farmers in specific Local Governments in the State to boost production along agricultural value chain.
In view of the need to plant crops before the end of the farming season, PIZZOS INTEGRATED SERVICE LIMITED was engaged directly for the job in line with Direct Procurement Method and expected to execute the contract within four week to facilitate planting of crop this year jointly monitored by Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
8. Another N2,350,000,000.00 (two billion, three hundred and fifty million naira) for clearing of 1000ha of land to support Youth In Agriculture programme and specific communities / cooperatives for dry season farming to support youth in agriculture programme, an initiative designed to increase agricultural production, revolutionize and boost economic potential through youth engagement at various locations across the State.
Since the inception of the present Administration, farmers and youths’ interest have increased significantly with demands for farmland allocation and the challenge to increased agricultural production through mechanized farming is land clearing. This is due to the enormous financial and technical interventions of the State Government which is usually beyond the capacity of average farmers.
The State Government is desirous of relieving famers, particularly the youths the cost of opening-up of more lands, which will serve as huge incentives towards achieving food security. This exercise will further make agricultural production more attractive and profitable in the State.
Approval was therefore given for 23 Vendors to complete the job in three months to facilitate planting of crop in the current year at various locations including Aramoko, Ogbese (Ado), Ise, Iyemero, Ikere, Oke Ako, Youth out of Poverty in Moba, Igbara Odo/Ogotun LCDA, Gospel Faith Mission,Ilawe Rd, Araromi Oke,Alasi & Ayinku, Orin Farm Settlement, Ipere, Ijesa-Isu, Emure, Ijan road, Itapaji, Ikole and Iyemero.
Signed
Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun
Commissioner for Information
Last modified: November 29, 2024
