EKITI PDP FAULTS FAYEMI’S VOLUNTEER PROJECT

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has faulted the State government Youth Volunteer Programme, describing it as a waste, deceit and avenue for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to use public fund to pay political thugs and polling agents.

In a release issued today and signed by the party's Publicity Secretary, Hon. Lekan Adekanbi, the PDP said N100 million was appropriated for the programme in the 2010 Budget and wondered how 20,000 youths would be paid for 12 months with N100 million.

The party also described Governor Kayode Fayemi as a copycat, saying; “It is obvious that Fayemi does not have any idea of his own because everything that Governor Rauf Aregbesola does in Osun State, he

(Fayemi) also replicate in Ekiti almost immediately.

“First, it was rebranding on which over N1 billion was siphoned. And now it is a phoney volunteer programme, on which the State Local Councils that are yet to be able to pay February salary are to cough out N100 million.

“In all, a total of N200 million has been earmarked for the programme and if the 20,000 people were to be paid say N10, 000 per month, that will be N200 million. Meaning that the N100 million budgeted for the programme and the N100 million to be taking from Local Council fund will only be enough to pay one month salary.

“Even if they are paid say N5, 000, the fund would be able to pay just two months salary!

“So, is this programme not a deceit or a mean of just providing funds for thugs to be used for elections next month?”

While describing the Fayemi-led government as confused, Adekanbi said; “In an attempt to get quick money, these people keep getting more and more confused every day.”

He said every kobo spent in questionable manner by the ACN government would be accounted for, adding that; “What Ekiti people need now is sustainable development with creation of enabling environment for business to thrive not rebranding and phoney volunteer programme.

“In plain words, what Ekiti youths need is gainful employments not pittance that won't sustain them for one week.”