Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has defended his administration’s budget implementation record, saying the government has remained transparent and faithful to its promises over the past four years.
Oyebanji said the performance of successive budgets under his administration demonstrated that his government had listened to the needs of residents and incorporated their demands into its development plans.
The governor spoke on Thursday during a town hall meeting with stakeholders from Ekiti Central Senatorial District in Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area, as part of consultations for the 2027 budget.
He recalled that during his 2022 election campaign, he made several promises to the people and had since worked to fulfil them through projects and programmes across the state.
Oyebanji said his administration had also used town hall meetings to identify the priorities of communities before preparing annual budgets.
He disclosed that the state government, in collaboration with the World Bank through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, would continue efforts to improve rural roads, with about 1,500 kilometres targeted across Ekiti.
According to him, 235 kilometres of roads are expected to be covered under the third phase of the project, which is scheduled to commence after the rainy season.
The governor also addressed concerns over flooding and gully erosion in areas including Efon, Aramoko and Ado-Ekiti, saying his administration had studied the challenges and was developing measures to tackle them.
On healthcare, Oyebanji said 110 primary healthcare centres had been renovated, while further investments would be made to improve healthcare delivery and reduce mortality and morbidity in the state.
He also commended traditional rulers for their role in improving security through intelligence gathering and community vigilance.
During the meeting, stakeholders from Ado, Ekiti West, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ijero and Efon Local Government Areas called for more roads, improved electricity, stronger healthcare services, erosion control, potable water and additional public secondary schools to be included in the 2027 budget.
They also praised the administration for what they described as prudent management of resources and improved funding of Local Council Development Areas.
Oyebanji assured the stakeholders that requests that could improve the welfare of residents would be addressed either directly by the state government or through partnerships with relevant institutions.
