AN ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE,
DR. KAYODE FAYEMI AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF
THE NEWLY APPOINTED CHAIRMEN OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CARETAKER COMMITTEES IN EKITI STATE HELD IN ADO-EKITI ON FRIDAY 15TH FEBRUARY, 2013
PROTOCOLSIt is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this swearing-in ceremony which is to flag off the regime of new Local Government Caretaker Committees in Ekiti State. It has become imperative for the government to effect the re-constitution of the Local Government Caretaker Committees to inject freshness into Local Government Administration in the State for another six months. This is in line with the provisions of the State Local Government Administration Law.
I like to place on record the good performances of the chairmen and members of the out-gone Local Government Caretaker Committees who demonstrated a lot of statesmanship in the administration of the councils. As you are aware, the past one year witnessed a lot of developments in the various Local Governments. Key in these respect are the ongoing construction of 5km road per local government, acquisition of 1000 hectares of land for agricultural purposes, boosting of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), institutionalization of Budget Processing among others. Your contribution to ORASE must also be commended. I salute the former council chiefs for jobs well done. You did a lot, but there is still a lot to be done.
It is therefore important for me to charge you, the new council bosses, to consolidate on the various achievements already recorded in various Local Government Areas by your predecessors in office. You have to ensure that none of the people oriented projects you are now inheriting is abandoned. We should all understand that government is a continuum and there should be value to public fund in our care.
As you are aware, it is the yearning desire of the present Administration to make poverty history in Ekiti State. Towards this end, there is the need to fast-track the socio-economic transformation of our various Communities through purposeful leadership and creativity in governance which is the hallmark of our administration since inception. Consequently, your coming on board as Local Government Caretaker Chairmen at this period is very timely, as this will avail you the opportunity to have inputs in the preparation of the Local Government Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). This document, which will commence from 2013-2015, has been designed to be a tool at the Local Government level to ensure the development of the third tier of government. In your new roles, you must key into the government's strategy of working more closely with the communities through the new Ministry of Rural Development and Community Development.
I like to announce that the second phase of the 5km road per Local Government would soon commence across the state. This year, another 5km Road should be added to the on-going 5km road per Local Government. The government is irrevocably committed to infrastructural development in our various Local Governments. You are therefore charged to make this sector a priority.
It is also instructive to note that you are coming at a time when Local Governments are undergoing a lot of transformation. For instance, Integrated Pay Roll System to curb corruption in the system is being introduced for the payment of Local Government workers salaries. Similarly amendments have just been made on the Local Government Administration Laws and Local Government Service Commission Laws in Ekiti State. You need to get yourselves familiarized with these laws so that you would not be operating at a cross purposes with the various organs of the State Government.
The single most important job is the welfare of our people. You must all live at home. May I reiterate the aversion of this administration to corruption in whatever definition or colour. This government has no place for corruption and would not hesitate to prosecute any public office holders caught in any act of fraudulent practices. I advise you to carry out your official responsibilities with strict adherence to due diligence as enshrined in the state public procurement regulations.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is on this note that I wish to congratulate the newly appointed Local Government Caretaker Chairmen on this golden opportunity. Your appointment is indeed a call to service. The minimum expected from you is a service of honesty, integrity and foresightedness. I wish you all a peaceful and successful tenure of office.
Thank you and God bless.
Via: Ekiti State Government - Official Press Release