Ekiti approves N10bn for hospital, roads, water projects - Punch Newspapers

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji. Photo: State House

Ekiti State Executive Council has approved over N10 billion for the construction of projects including hospital buildings, solar-powered water projects and roads in different communities, among others, as well as an airport project. The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said that the approvals contained “several policy initiatives and strategic projects aimed at strengthening governance, improving institutional capacity, expanding critical infrastructure and advancing sustainable socio-economic development across the state. Olatunbosun said in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, in which he conveyed the council decisions at its Tuesday meeting, that “the approvals cut across critical sectors, including healthcare, water supply, road infrastructure, aviation, public safety, security and institutional development, reflecting a broad-based approach to strengthening the state’s physical and human development infrastructure.” He described them as a demonstration of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration’s “emphasis on timely implementation, value for public resources and sustainable infrastructure, with several of the approved projects expected to be delivered within relatively short time frames. “The decisions reflect the administration’s continued commitment to delivering essential public infrastructure, improving access to quality healthcare and potable water, strengthening public safety and security, enhancing urban connectivity and supporting the operational development of critical facilities across Ekiti State,” he said.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google The commissioner said that “Exco approved N6.765bn for the construction of new hospital buildings at the General Hospitals in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Awo-Ekiti and Ipao-Ekiti, as part of the administration’s sustained commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving access to quality medical services and advancing Universal Health Coverage across the State.” He said that the approved sum comprised N2.255bn each for the three hospital projects, adding that the proposed developments would provide essential healthcare facilities, including a female ward, male ward, mortuary, maternity and delivery suite, children’s ward, gate house, consulting room, theatre, staff quarters, laboratory and main building/administrative block. Olatunbosun said the three projects were expected to be completed within 10 months. “The approval represents a significant investment in the expansion and modernisation of healthcare infrastructure in the state and is intended to provide more functional and conducive facilities for healthcare delivery, enhance access to essential medical services and strengthen the capacity of the health system to meet the needs of residents across the benefiting communities and surrounding areas,” he added. Edo revokes Benin-Abraka road contract, plans fresh award Seplat, NNPC target 6,000 A’Ibom residents for free eye care Edo blames Obaseki’s shoddy projects for road decay The commissioner said the council also approved N1.681bn for the upgrading and rehabilitation of 104 high-yielding boreholes across the local government areas and local council development areas in the state under the World Bank-supported Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme. “The intervention is aimed at expanding access to sustainable, reliable and potable water supply through the conversion of the identified boreholes into reticulated solar-powered water facilities, in line with the objectives of the SURWASH programme and the state government’s commitment to strengthening water supply infrastructure and improving access to safe water across the State. “The 104 boreholes were selected in accordance with the stipulated World Bank/SURWASH criteria, while the procurement process was conducted through open competitive bidding. “The projects are expected to be completed within four weeks, reflecting the administration’s commitment to the rapid expansion of access to sustainable potable water and strengthening of rural and small-town water infrastructure,” he said. The commissioner added that the council also approved the sum of N1.093bn for the construction of 400m Olajiga Street, Egbewa and 915m GRA 3rd Extension (Ifesowapo–Ibi Oluwatoba Avenue–Ori Apata Roads), Ado-Ekiti. He said that the project, which would complement the ongoing construction of the GRA 3rd Extension Phases I–IV, comprised site clearing, earthworks, concrete drainage, pavement construction and asphalt laying, and was scheduled for completion within 12 months. According to him, “The project underscores the administration’s continued investment in strategic road infrastructure to improve connectivity, urban mobility and socio-economic activities in Ado-Ekiti.” The commissioner listed other approvals at the meeting to include N448.074m for the provision of office equipment for the Ministry of Special Duties and the replacement of worn-out furniture at the Presidential Lodge and its extension, as well as N340.612m for the construction of a one-kilometre access road from the threshold of Runway 21 to the CVOR Navigation Aid Site at the Ekiti State Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, Ado-Ekiti. He said that the approvals also included N155.35m for the implementation of Phase II of the Afao-Ekiti streetlight project and installation of solar-powered streetlights within Government House, Ado Ekiti. Abiodun Nejo

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