Government of Ekiti State, Nigeria.

LETTERS: Fayemi’s Kero–Direct Scheme

July 10, 2012

SIR: A couple of weeks ago, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi brought another innovation to governance through the introduction of Kero-direct scheme in the state. Under this scheme, kerosene was sold to Ekiti indigenes directly at N50 per litre through governments agents.

I am not claiming here that the scheme was invented by the governor in the country. Neither was he the first governor to introduce such a laudable policy to ensure that the product gets to the downtrodden masses at controlled   price.

But the points I am trying to drive home are that governor Fayemi pioneered the scheme in Ekiti; secondly, the gesture is evidence that the focus of this administration is to stamp out suffering and wanton poverty that is ravaging the down trodden masses. It was a further confirmation that ACN under Fayemi is running all –inclusive and populist government.

Before the advent of the scheme, poor masses, including those, whose daily means of livelihood are below one dollar a day, according to United Nations, used to get the product as high as N120-N140 per litre.

Though, some skeptics have branded the scheme as cosmetic, I want to say that the programme is a potent tool for taking governance close to the masses.

A visit to some of the remote villages in Ekiti at night will tell the importance of the scheme. As early as 8 p.m., everywhere will be dark as if these villages have been deserted due to persistent epileptic power supply by PHCN. So, the only means the people could have light are through sun at day, moon at night and through kerosene in their lanterns.

All we are demanding from the governor is to ensure the sustainability of the scheme and make it a weekly programme to reach all the downtrodden citizens.

Notably, the Fayemi-led administration has been methodical in the implementation of its policies. The well crafted eight-point agenda had been meticulously implemented in ways that have impacted positively on the lives of all strata of Ekiti people.

Old people have benefited from the social security scheme. People above age 65 are today receiving monthly stipend of N5,000. The youths have benefited from employment into the civil service, the volunteer corps scheme, Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA) and the millennium farming policy for young graduates.

The women have benefited immensely from Erelu Bisi Fayemi-initiated Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF), civil servants enjoy N19,200 minimum wage across board and ultimately, the students have been enjoying pay-cut in their tuition fees in all the state owned tertiary institutions.

As I charge all Ekitis, at home and in the Diaspora to support the present government, I appeal to the government to fast –track the pace of completion of  the myriad of ongoing road projects across the length and breadth of  Ekiti for people to feel more dividends of democracy in the months ahead.

 

• Dalimore Aluko

Ikere Ekiti,  Ekiti State

 

This letter was first published in The Nation on July 10, 2012

Last modified: July 10, 2012

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