Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti on Thursday said his frequent travels out of the state was to attract funding and investment and disclosed that they have yielded many dividends.
“I have not been staying in the state these days. I have been looking for money to finance people-oriented projects because I don’t have the funds,” Fayemi said in apparent response to criticisms by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which dubbed him a ‘Diaspora governor.’
The governor spoke in Yoruba at Ikere-Ekiti, the headquarter of Ekiti South Senatorial District on Thursday during a town hall meeting with representatives of all the six local government areas in the district.
“I am happy God has been answering our prayers. World Bank had just released humongous funds to finance constructions of 1000kms rural roads, model markets and other projects. In addition, the Federal Government has given me money to address the areas affected by flood”, he added.
Fayemi disclosed the consultative meeting was pertinent to get people’s inputs for the preparation of the 2020 appropriation bill.
He said the decision was based on the need to make government more responsible and responsive to the critical needs, yearnings and aspirations of the citizens.
He said his administration remained resolute to return governance to grassroots in order to effect genuine socio-economic growth and development.
The governor, while responding to the various requests of the communities which included security and other social amenities, assured that all requests will be included in the next year budgetary process.
“I assure every local government that their requests and demands will be carefully considered and accommodated in the 2020 budget, ” he said.