As part of the celebration of his first one hundred days in office, the executive Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Honourable Awelewa Olawale Gabriel has left an indelible mark as the council’s helmsman, prioritizing infrastructures, people’s welfare and security of lives and property across the across the council area.
As the people of the local government joined the hardworking council boss and his team, to pray for an accelerated development in the area, here are the noteworthy achievements of Honourable Awelewa’s leadership of Ekiti Local Government Council in the last 100 days;
- Office Renovation for Modernization: The Chairman embarked on a transformative journey by renovating the local government offices which were in a state of total neglect and disrepair. Some of these offices were in an unfit condition. The renovation brought in modern facilities to enhance efficiency and functionality.
- Prioritizing Workers’ Welfare Amdist Economic Hardship; Under the leadership of Honourable Awelewa as Ekiti Council’s helmsman, workers’ well-being and welfare have being the top of his agenda with the support for payment of N70,000 minimum wage to the least graded workers on Grade Level 01. This was done without any hesitation, in absolute conformity with the agreement reached with the Kwara State Joint Labour Negotiations Committee, by the State Government under the leadership of our amiable governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq (con), Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF).
- Infrastructural and Social Development;
i. Honourable Awelewa who has prioritized infrastructural development, on resumption of office, embarked on the immediate repair and general overhauling of the Council’s moribund road grader equipment, to facilitate it’s deployment for civil construction and roadworks.
ii. Expansion and rehabilitation of the 7.5km Osi – Isare-Opin – Ikerin-Opin – Ajuba road. The surface grading and road width expansion work which includes lateritic backfilling and soil compacting, is nearing completion with 93% of the job done.
iii. Reconstruction and renovation work on Ekiti Local Government Legislative Building. Honourable Awelewa has embarked on a reconstruction and renovation work on the uninhabitable legislative building, with major exterior and interior aspects of the dilapidated building being remodelled to give modern aesthetic look and legislative functionality.
It would be recalled that the legislature arm of the council administration has been making use of the council hall as it’s temporary legislative sitting chamber as a result of the council’s legislative building being in a total state of disrepair.
The reconstruction and renovation work is now at 98% completion stage and it’s to be commissioned in a couples of days.
iv. Reticulation of water supply to Isolo-Opin Primary Health Centre building (completed)
v. Refurbishment and repair of the solar powered electricity plant and generator supplying steady electricity power to the Council secretariats and offices.
- Boost in Security Architecture; The Honourable Awelewa led leadership of the council has made several efforts towards improving the security of lives and property across the 10 wards constituting the local government areas. Such efforts includes!
i. Increment in the workforce size of the local government vigilantes outfit.
ii. a 40% Increment in the salary of local vigilantes personnel with improved condition of service.
iii. Engagement of special anti-kidnapping and anti-banditry squad to tame incidences of kidnapping for ransom and banditry in the council area.
iv. Facilitation of 3-additional motorcycles to the local security vigilantes to ensure easy mobility, quick and prompt response to any potential security threat.
- Boost in Council Revenue Generation Status; Ekiti Local government before now used to be the least in internal revenue generation among the 16 Local Government Councils in Kwara State. This IGR status is now being redefined by the Awelewa led new Council’s administration with the proactive move by the council boss on resumption of office, to block revenue leakages, most especially in the primary health centers across the council area. The administration effort has positively improved the council’s IGR.
This, the council chairman, confirmed, he intend to improve upon by automating the systems and processes — particularly around invoicing and recurring payments at the PHCs and citizenship certification. - Recognition and Honour To Traditional Institution; In recognition of the roles and importance of traditional institutions in the functionality of government at the third tier of the realm and community development, the new administration has increased the monthly allowances accruing to traditional chiefs and Iyalojas in the council area, with N enhanced consultation with the local government council of Obas and High Chiefs under the able chairmanship of the Olosi of Osi, Oba Salihu AbdulKareem Adasofegbe 1.
- Educational Support: The administration demonstrated a commitment to education by sponsoring student debates, fostering intellectual growth, and providing a platform for the youth to express themselves.
- Sports Development; The new administration in Ekiti Local Government undertook the sponsorship of the council female football team, ‘Ekiti Queens’ to the maiden edition of the Kwara State 2024 Female Football Tournament, in which our queens’ exceptionally performance in the midst of adequate support by the council:s administration made the team to excel among the top finishers in the tournament.
- Refurbishment of council’s cars for the official use of the Speaker of the Legislative Council and other council top officials.
In just 100 days, Honourable Awelewa has not only exceeded expectations but has actively promoted infrastructures, social welfare, security, education, sports and community development.
These achievements signify a promising future for the residents as these impactful initiatives were implemented within the first 100 days, an assurance to residents that welfare and community development will remain a top priority of Honourable Awelewa’s tenure.