Adebayo Adenrele
The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji has said that his administration deliberately prioritised the welfare of civil servants as part of efforts to stimulate economic growth and support businesses across the state.
The governor stated this while addressing members of the Congress of Artisans and Private Sector stakeholders, who organised a reception in his honour in Ado-Ekiti.
The Governor said his administration’s economic strategy was anchored on ensuring workers receive their salaries and entitlements promptly.
According to him, when he assumed office, he discovered that sluggish business activities in the state were largely linked to the inability of workers to spend due to unpaid salaries owed by previous administrations.
His words, “The first thing I grabbed from the leaders of these associations was that businesses were not progressing. I discovered that the reason was that government owed workers and that was why businesses were not moving forward because the people buying goods and services are workers.
“I then made a promise that I would not owe any worker salary and it has been like that till now. Businesses are moving forward because workers now have money to buy things.
“I strongly believe that if you pump enough money into the civil service, the money will naturally flow to your side because workers are major drivers of the local economy”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Artisans in Ekiti State and Special Adviser to the Governor on Artisan Matters, Ebenezer Fadipe Babatunde, commended Oyebanji for his administration’s commitment to the welfare of artisans and residents.
Fadipe said the governor had fulfilled most of the promises made to artisans since assuming office and deserved their continued support.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Private Sector Association and Special Adviser to the Governor on Private Sector Matters, Abiodun Gbenga Israel, expressed appreciation to the governor for his support for businesses and entrepreneurs in the state.
He said the private sector had benefited significantly from the administration’s policies and programmes aimed at improving the business environment.
Also in the entourage of the Governor at the event were his deputy, Chief Monisade Afuye; Director-General of the Oyebanji Campaign Council, Senator Cyril Fasuyi; Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Habibat Adubiaro and other top government officials.
