Ekiti State Government has approved the release of N300 million as grants-in-aid for self-help projects in 82 specific communities and another N197, 250.00 for the execution of developmental projects in other various communities across the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu made this disclosure at the opening of a Two-Day Interactive Workshop on Strategies for Community Transformation which was organized by the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Empowerment held at Midas Hotels, Ado-Ekiti.
Prof. Adelabu said Governor Kayode Fayemi created the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Empowerment In January 2013 with the mandate to enhance sustainable economic , socio-cultural and political activities of the state in general and the rural area in particular in line with his administration’s 8-Point Agenda to take development to the grassroots where over 75 percent of the populace resides.
She explained that community transformation as conceived by the present government implied that the government would focus on improving the living standard of the rural dwellers, improve rural community leadership capacity and establish better connections in the implementation of community initiated self-help projects.
While giving the assurance that every community in the state will benefit from the grants-in-aid programme of the government, no matter the population or location before the end of the year, the Deputy Governor reiterated the administration’s commitment to the provision of basic infrastructure in every community in the state to reduce the rural-urban drift among youths.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Commissioner of the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Empowerment, Chief Folorunso Olabode said the workshop was very important because it was one of the strategies put in place by the government to create awareness and advocacy and as well equip all stake holders in the task of rural and community development.
He noted that elimination of poverty also requires the provision of infrastructure and sustainable livelihood and the involvement of all tiers of the government and the rural dwellers, hence the need to facilitate and coordinate the intervention of all stakeholders in the rural areas for efficient and effective service delivery mechanism.
Chief Olabode lauded the leadership style of Governor Kayode Fayemi and his superb initiative at creating the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Development, adding that the ministry is a veritable organ that will make a reality of the governor’s vision of reducing poverty to the barest minimum and making life bearable for the generality of Ekiti people.
Last modified: May 27, 2013