By Princess Ajayi
Ekiti State Government has said that it would continue to give priority to the welfare of workers in order to engender organisational efficiency in the state public service.
The Commissioner for Ministry of Local Government Affairs (LGA) Hon Folorunso Olabode stated this during his familiarization tour of Ekiti West, Irepodun /Ifelodun Local Government Areas and Araromi Local Council Development Area
Hon Olabode who commended the huge turn out of workers in their offices which according to him shows a dedicated and committed workforce in the Local Government Councils explained that the purpose of the tour was not only to familiarize himself with workers and key officials at the third tier of government, but also to mobilize local councils for the timely preparation of the 2024 budget which must be ready before the end of the year.
He counselled the Local Councils to come up with workable budget that will meet the basic needs of people and the various communities in their council areas adding that the budget must be packaged and delivered on time.
While charging the councils to beef up their Internally Generated Revenue, the Commissioner urged them to venture into commercial agriculture and programmes that could make the youths to be properly engaged stressing that youth empowerment was key in both the developmental agenda of the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji as well as in preventing youth restiveness.
He reaffirmed the importance of regular trainings of staff to upgrade their capacity for prompt service delivery saying that additional responsibilities will be given to council workers to bring life back to the third tier of government.
Olabode disclosed that the Governor had approved the 5km Road projects for the local councils in the State adding that government will put smiles on workers faces during the Yuletide season.
Responding in their various councils, the Chairman of Ekiti West Local Government, Hon Olusesan Okere appreciated the Governor for coming up with initiatives that will touch the lives of people at the grassroots.
He highlighted some of his achievements in office since 22 months ago to include: the resuscitation of moribund council’s piggery farm and renovation of an health center.
Others are installation of solar powered light, empowering of security personnel (Amotekun Corps), registration of herdsmen based in the local government area for easy indentification amongst others.
The LG Chairman noted that he was able to kickstart many projects through external funds which now serve as sources of internally generated revenue (IGR) for the LG.