Against criticism by the opposition that Ekiti Airport project was designed to loot the treasury, the State Government has assured the residents that every kobo appropriated for the project would be accounted for.
The government also clarified that it has no intention to cancel the free health mission, assuring that many Ekiti indigent people would benefit from the programme before the expiration of Fayose’s tenure.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Olurotimi Ojo, also disclosed that despite the fact that the ebola pandemic had receded in the country that the government is still carrying out advocacy programmes, to make the fight against it participatory and sustainable.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti at the weekend at a press parley to herald the anniversary marking Fayose’s first year in office, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Modupe Alade assured that the governor would ensure that all the monies for the construction of the airport project are well appropriated.
Alade, who rated Fayose high in terms of performance in the last 12 months, also said the much vilified airport project is not a misplaced priority as being said by the opposition, saying it would affect the economy of the State positively through jobs creation and through many other inherent benefits.
The SSG said that the government has not abandoned the Oba Ruifus Adejugbe Hospital built by the administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi, assuring that the facility would be equipped to serve purposeat the secondary level of healthcare delivery in the State.
“Fayose has the option of building the airport through public-private partnership, but he rejected that because he had promised not to mortgage Ekiti. So, we are working hard to ensure that we put it in the 2016 budget and by November next year, Ekiti must be sure of a new airport “.
She said the government would soon inaugurate the project for the dualisation of Ikere township road to ease traffic flow in the town and add to the aesthetic value of the metropolis.
Speaking further, the Commissioner for Health disclosed that through concerted efforts of the Fayose’s administration, that the National Universities Commission and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria have granted full accreditation to the departments of Ophthamology, obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.
Ojo added that equipment are being procured while new buildings are being constructed, to ensure other critical departments in the tertiary hospital are accredited, including the Scholl of Nursing and
Midwifery.
The Commissioner disclosed that the government is partnering with Pharmaceutical companies in strengthening the Drug mega Depot in the State, so that drugs could be made available in all the state-owned hospitals.
Meanwhile, the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated Fayose on his one-year office, saying he has performed up to the expectation.
The Chairman of the Party, Chief Idowu Faleye in a statement in Ado Ekiti said that the party is particularly happy about the numerous achievements Fayose has recorded within the spate of one year in office as the governor of the state.
He stressed that the courage Fayose has to forge ahead despite poor financial standing of the state treasury to execute some laudable projects like construction of Adehun-Tinuola-Afao road and other “numerous to mention is unprecedented”.
He added that it is only a visionary leader that can survive the war of attrition and economics downturn that Fayose passed through in the last one year.
Faleye also commended the Governor’s boldness in tackling President Mohammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on issues when necessary, saying that it takes courage and wisdom to be able to do this especially in the face of jaundiced propaganda of the APC.
The PDP boss noted that Fayose’s one year in office has brought succor to the yearning of Ekiti People while his styles has given the people better orientation in politics and governance.
Faleye said that if their is another chance after second term in office, the party would gladly return him, noting that the grassroots politics and stomach infrastructure policy of the Governor stands him out among the 36 governors in the country.
