The Ekiti State Executive Council has approved over N18.5bn for various projects covering construction of roads, electricity supply, water, sanitation and hygiene, agriculture, security, and others.

The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Thursday that the approvals were given during a virtual State Executive Council meeting which held on Wednesday.

Olatunbosun stated, “N10.115bn was approved for the rehabilitation of 11.4km and reconstruction of 6km Ita Ido-Ido Ile-Okemesi-Ikoro Road in furtherance of the Biodun Oyebanji administration’s commitment to proper maintenance and upgrading of the state’s road network.

“The road is also expected to ease the hardship of the people in the area, improve the socio-economic activities of the axis and improve the security of lives and properties of the people along the road.”

The commissioner said that N1.1bn was also approved for the construction of an access road to the new multipurpose building at the University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

He said, “The road is expected to ease access to the new multipurpose building at the hospital and a further demonstration of the commitment of the Oyebanji administration to ensuring a good, well-maintained road network that will make every part of the state accessible.”

Olatunbosun said they also awarded an N1.83bn contract for the remodelling of Adekunle Fajuyi Memorial Park to Messrs. Rutnael Project Limited.

He said, “This project aims to remodel the park to become an international tourism centre and also to make the park a befitting place for the immortalisation of an icon of the state, Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi.”

The SEC also approved N1.5bn for the construction of the Odo Oja Water Scheme, Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, as part of efforts to increase access to potable water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in the State.

The commissioner said, “The job, approved to be awarded to Jadfem Nigeria Limited, will be executed under the World Bank-supported Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme within 10 months.”

Olatunbosun added that the SEC also gave approval of N2.18bn “for extension works on the construction of the Arts and Cultural Centre at Waterworks Area in Ado Ekiti.

This, he said, was to allow acquisition, remodelling, and reconstruction work there, adding that it was for the purpose of job creation for the teeming talented youths in the state.

He also said that N515.9m was approved for the reconstruction of the failed culvert at Adekaitan Filling Station, Ilawe Road, Ado Ekiti, saying it was “to make life easier for citizens by focusing on access to essential services, economic opportunity, among others.”

The commissioner said that other approvals included N998.2m for various electricity projects, including solar-powered street lights, transformers, electricity network rehabilitation, interventions, and a modular solar-powered irrigation system in various communities in the state.

These, he said, were aimed at boosting power supply, enhancing economic activities, and improving the security of lives and supply.