AN ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE,

DR. KAYODE FAYEMI AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF

THE NEWLY APPOINTED CHAIRMEN OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CARETAKER COMMITTEES IN EKITI STATE HELD IN ADO-EKITI ON
FRIDAY 15TH FEBRUARY, 2013

PROTOCOLS
It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this swearing-in ceremony which is to
flag off the regime of new Local Government Caretaker Committees in Ekiti State. It
has become imperative for the government to effect the re-constitution of the Local
Government Caretaker Committees to inject freshness into Local Government
Administration in the State for another six months. This is in line with the provisions
of the State Local Government Administration Law.
I like to place on record the good performances of the chairmen and members of the
out-gone Local Government Caretaker Committees who demonstrated a lot of
statesmanship in the administration of the councils. As you are aware, the past one
year witnessed a lot of developments in the various Local Governments. Key in these
respect are the ongoing construction of 5km road per local government, acquisition of
1000 hectares of land for agricultural purposes, boosting of Internally Generated
Revenue (IGR), institutionalization of Budget Processing among others. Your
contribution to ORASE must also be commended. I salute the former council chiefs
for jobs well done. You did a lot, but there is still a lot to be done.
It is therefore important for me to charge you, the new council bosses, to consolidate
on the various achievements already recorded in various Local Government Areas by
your predecessors in office. You have to ensure that none of the people oriented

projects you are now inheriting is abandoned. We should all understand that
government is a continuum and there should be value to public fund in our care.
As you are aware, it is the yearning desire of the present Administration to make
poverty history in Ekiti State. Towards this end, there is the need to fast-track the
socio-economic transformation of our various Communities through purposeful
leadership and creativity in governance which is the hallmark of our administration
since inception. Consequently, your coming on board as Local Government Caretaker
Chairmen at this period is very timely, as this will avail you the opportunity to have
inputs in the preparation of the Local Government Medium Term Expenditure
Framework (MTEF). This document, which will commence from 2013-2015, has
been designed to be a tool at the Local Government level to ensure the development
of the third tier of government. In your new roles, you must key into the
governments strategy of working more closely with the communities through the
new Ministry of Rural Development and Community Development.
I like to announce that the second phase of the 5km road per Local Government
would soon commence across the state. This year, another 5km Road should be
added to the on-going 5km road per Local Government.

The government is

irrevocably committed to infrastructural development in our various Local

Governments. You are therefore charged to make this sector a priority.
It is also instructive to note that you are coming at a time when Local Governments
are undergoing a lot of transformation. For instance, Integrated Pay Roll System to
curb corruption in the system is being introduced for the payment of Local
Government workers salaries. Similarly amendments have just been made on the
Local Government Administration Laws and Local Government Service Commission

Laws in Ekiti State. You need to get yourselves familiarized with these laws so that
you would not be operating at a cross purposes with the various organs of the State
Government.
The single most important job is the welfare of our people. You must all live at home.
May I reiterate the aversion of this administration to corruption in whatever definition
or colour. This government has no place for corruption and would not hesitate to
prosecute any public office holders caught in any act of fraudulent practices. I advise
you to carry out your official responsibilities with strict adherence to due diligence as
enshrined in the state public procurement regulations.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is on this note that I wish to congratulate the
newly appointed Local Government Caretaker Chairmen on this golden opportunity.
Your appointment is indeed a call to service. The minimum expected from you is a
service of honesty, integrity and foresightedness. I wish you all a peaceful and
successful tenure of office.
Thank you and God bless.