Ekiti Govt To Construct 200 Bed Space Capacity Hostel For Military Command School, Votes Fund

By Ayodele Oni

In fulfilment of its Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with the Nigeria Army, Ekiti state government is to construct a 200 bed space capacity hostel at the Command Secondary School, Is an Ekiti.

The MoU, which was entered into during the administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi entailed that the state would provide structures, manpower for the take off of the school.

At its weekly executive council meeting in Ado Ekiti, the state government ratified the awards of N329,474,681.08 contract for the construction of the hostel.

The commissioner for information, Taiwo Olatubosun, in a statement on Tuesday, explained that the project, which is expected to be completed in 12 weeks, is to guarantee continuous full boarding facility in the School and facilitate academic resumption.

The commissioner disclosed that executive council also approved a sum of N700,973,716.86 to comprehensively renovate and remodel the State House of Assembly Complex and the Assembly Service Commission building.

“Given its deteriorated state, it became exigent to undertake a comprehensive renovation and remodeling of the buildings to ensure the structures are restored to a modern and functional state, conducive for effective discharge of legislative duties and administrative functions.”

He added that the contract has been awarded through Direct Procurement in line with section 42b of the Ekiti State Public Procurement (Re-Enactment Law, 2020) and is expected to be completed in 12 weeks.

The exco in a demonstration of its dedication to ensuring the state’s roads are well-maintained and motorable, aligning with its infrastructure development agenda, approved contract for the rehabilitation of some inner roads in the state capital.

According to the commissioner, rehabilitation of the roads is expected to alleviate traffic congestion within the city, boost socio-economic activities in the area, and enhance the security and quality of life for residents and property owners along the road.

To boost food production, the council also ratified the sum of N177,937,500.00 as part payment to clear 325 hectares of land for some youths from Ikere, Emure, Moba, Ido-Osi and Ekiti West Local Governments in the State to support ‘Youths In Agriculture’ initiative at their respective Local Governments level.

“Through targeted initiatives, the administration aims to empower farmers in the State by collaborating with interested local government areas to boost production along the value chain.

“A sum of N355,875,000.00 had earlier been approved for the project in the partnership between the State and the affected Local Governments.

“However, given the urgency to plant crops before the end of the farming season and in a demonstration of unwavering resolve and commitment to transforming the agriculture sector, a private company was directly engaged for the land clearing project.

“This will be in a venture that will be supervised by both the Ministry of Local Government and Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the affected LGAs.”