With barely two weeks to the end of his administration, the governor of Ekiti State, South West Nigeria, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has unveiled a 30-year development plan for Ekiti state, to have a continuity in governance that would better the lives of the people.
Gatekeepers News reports that Fayemi unveiled the plan at the 3rd Interactive Session between Ekiti state government and its development partners in Nigeria organised in Abuja to unveil a 30-year development plan by the government for the people of Ekiti state.
Fayemi said as a government, their administration will continue to work out modalities and evolve new ways of making life better for the Ekiti people, despite the little resources available to the State.
He said that the meeting was also to update the development partners about their collective progress in the state; to acknowledge and appreciate their support for the government and people of Ekiti state and; to introduce the governor-elect to them, with whom they will be dealing with going forward from October 16, 2022.
“As a government, our administration continues to work out modalities and evolve new ways of making life better for our people, despite the little resources available to the state. I thank everyone that has played one role or the other to support us thus far, especially our development partners. I believe if we continue to work together as a team, we will certainly achieve the progress and development we all yearn for.
“As a responsible and responsive government, we have, over the years, deliberately prioritised and focused on the growth, development, and wellbeing of our people. To this end, we have to learn from the past by assessing where we succeeded so that we can replicate that success, and understand areas we have fallen short to correct them.
“In the course of our 2nd interactive session, I reported to you some landmark achievements we collectively accomplished, and categorized them in line with our five priority areas or pillars. They are governance; agriculture and rural development; social investment; knowledge economy; and infrastructure and industrial development.
“I am glad to further inform you that some of the projects listed in the report are being commissioned now to commemorate the fourth anniversary of this administration. We could not have achieved this much without the support of our development partners. Your impacts have been feasible and greatly felt on all the 5-pillars of this administration,” he said.
The governor explained that the Ekiti State Development Plan (ESDP) 2022- 2050 is the manifestation of their dream to have tailored-made development programs that will enhance the fast economic growth of Ekiti State and make Ekiti State the destination of choice to visit, live, work and invest in, in Nigeria.
“The reason for Ekiti State Development Plan ESDP 2022- 2050 is to capture the current needs, potential strengths, clear opportunities, and aspirational yearnings of Ekiti citizens, especially the younger generation; and to highlight the viability of Ekiti state as an environment with resources and endowments, and incentives that allow capital to make optimal returns given its abundant economic opportunities, prosperity potentials, social inclusion, peace, and security,” he said.
Senior technical assistant to the senior special assistant to the President on SDGs, Mr. Bala Yunusa, who spoke on behalf of SDGs, explained that the SDGs goals can not be achieved with stand-alone policies and programs, but they must be carefully integrated into SDGs national and subnational policies and programs, saying that they are happy that Ekiti state is launching a long time SDGs base development plan.
Also, governor-elect, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in his address, commended governor Fayemi’s sincerity of purpose, clear vision, and commitment to improving the wellbeing of the Ekiti people thereby promising to build on his well-established legacy.
“The vision of our 30-year Development Plan, ESDP 2050, is To make the Ekiti State of Nigeria the best place of choice in Africa to live, work, invest, and visit by the year 2050. If we are to achieve this vision, we will require flawless execution, sincerity of purpose, and the support of all our partners.
“In my opinion, we have commenced this journey in the right way, by ensuring alignment of our promise to Ekiti people, the Sustainable Development Goals, and our ESDP 2050,” he said.
