By; Oladele Adedayo, Ado-Ekiti.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has said the state government, in conjunction with some banks,will build an artisans’ village along Ikere Road, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
He made the disclosure in Ado-Ekiti while meeting with artisans and members of the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) at the Jibowu Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
A release by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi quoted the governor as saying that the project could cost the state government about N200 million.
The meeting which was called to resolve the dispute between Ekiti Artisans’ Association and NATA over the parcel of land the proposed village would be built, resolved that a committee be set up to find ways the two unions could work together.
While pleading their case before the governor, the Ekiti State Chairman of NATA, Alo Babatunde said the land was allocated to them by the state government during the first tenure of Fayose about 10 years ago, and that the National Automotive Council had concluded plans to build an automotive centre for them on the land.
He said members of his association were surprised to hear that the other group had gone there early this year to clear the land for another purpose.
The Chairman of the artisans’ group, Mr. Julius Adu, said Governor Fayose promised them a land for their village last year and that state officials showed them the place.
While intervening in the matter, Fayose thanked both sides for maintaining peace and not taking the law into their hands over the matter.
“Thank you for making the state governable for me. You have not taken the law into your hands. People want to hear whatever I want to say because you people are supporting and backing me. Most governments of the past had no time for you. The government can not solve all problems but must listen to the people.
“Things are getting critical everyday as far as economic issues are concerned. We are daily confronted with new challenges. The allocation we got this month is not up to half of our wage bill, but we have to shoulder on. What you people are asking for is legitimate. But we must find a mid course to solve the matter. We will set up a committee with members drawn from both sides and government officials to resolve it. An artisans’ village will be built there and we will approach the bank to borrow us the money to do that. It will be a way of empowering you,” he said.
The governor added that while the state government would continue to cater for the welfare of civil servants, it would not neglect those in the informal sector who constitute the majority.
