EKITI BEGINS CONSULTATIONS ON ROADMAP TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY
IN furtherance of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration's resolve to improve the lives of Ekiti people with the Roadmap to Ekiti Recovery, the state government has started a process of preparing a development strategy for the state.
The strategy is expected to accelerate the development of the state by improving the capacity of the people to obtain physical necessities of life via access to food, clothing and shelter.
It is also expected to lead to mass employment, equality, participation in governance, political and economic independence, adequate education, gender equality, sustainable development and peace.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Planning and MDGs, Mrs Bunmi Dipo Salami, it is envisaged that the new development strategy for Ekiti State will facilitate the actualisation of the vision of Dr Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti, where poverty becomes history. The strategy will draw from the experience of previous development strategies over the years and the Eight Point Agenda of the present administration. It will also draw inspiration from international human rights instruments and framework including the African Charter for Human and People's Rights, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Vision 2020, among others.
A cardinal principle of the Fayemi administration is the participation of the Ekiti people in the governance of the state due to the recognition that all members of the society are critical actors in fashioning out appropriate strategies that improve the lives of the people.
The government desires the inputs of Ekiti people in the development strategy. To this end, a consultative process has been scheduled to take place from May 30 to June 3, 2011.
Salami said there will be consultations in each of the senatorial districts, involving local government officials, private sector, academics, labour, Civil Society Organisations as participants and specialised consultations involving labour, NlC, Faith Based Organisations (CAN & Muslims), private sector (NACCIMA), the media and others.
She affirmed that the present administration in the state would ensure that poverty becomes history, soliciting the support and cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure the success of the initiative.