Ekiti earmarks N1bn for abandoned secretariat complex

The Ekiti Government is to spend N1 billion on the completion of abandoned buildings and rehabilitation of structures at the State Secretariat, Ado Ekiti.

Our correspondent reports that Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti made this known on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti during an inspection of facilities at the secretariat.

He said his government would complete the abandoned office complex within the secretariat, adding that provisions has been made for the project in the 2019 budget.

Fayemi decried the poor work environment of the state workers, especially the dilapidated structures that house some of the ministries and agencies.

The governor also ordered the evacuation of staff from the affected buildings to pave way for immediate rehabilitation work.

He assuring the workers that his administration would prioritize their welfare beyond the regular and prompt payment of salaries.

“It is the beginning of the year and I decided that I should get a feel of how the workers are doing in the state.

“Workers are the engine room of every policy that we make. We can talk the talk; the only way we can walk the talk is if those who are saddled with the implementation are able to do their work in a conducive environment

“Conducive environment is not just paying their salaries regularly, that has resumed fully but coming to an environment that is conducive is very key to government policy,” he said.

Speaking on the dilapidated structure, the governor expressed displeasure at the lack of proper maintenance of public buildings.

“It is not very pleasing. Some of the structures are collapsing. We all know that maintenance is a challenge for us in our country but here in Ekiti, we can make a difference, that is how we want to restore our values

“We want to make sure that Ekiti is different from the rest. We may not have the millions to spend but the little we have, let’s put it to better use and ensure that the work environment is appealing to workers”, Fayemi said.

It was reported that the governor was conducted round the secretariat complex by the acting Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Fapounda, and the Permanent Secretaries of the various Ministries that were visited.