Industrialisation, small businesses next focus after infrastructure – Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji. Photo: Ekiti State Government.

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has said his administration will focus on industrialisation and the growth of small businesses in its second term.

This he said would not mean abandoning infrastructure development.

Oyebanji, who spoke in a chat with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, said his administration laid the foundation for increased productivity in its first term.

He assured that it would consolidate on the progress and pursue measures to deepen its shared prosperity agenda in the new term.

The governor was inaugurated for a second term in office on Friday, having won re-election in the June 20 governorship election in the state.

He said, “The focus of our second term is clear – during the first three years, we concentrated on laying the foundation for increased productivity. We constructed roads, connected communities that had never enjoyed electricity, improved township roads and developed farm roads.

“By the end of this year, we would have constructed close to 400 kilometres of roads. We are also placing considerable emphasis on agriculture and our internally generated revenue has grown significantly over the past three to four years.

“The next phase is to ensure that these investments in infrastructure translate into greater productivity and economic prosperity. Over the next three years, I want to see more of the agricultural products produced in Ekiti processed locally and converted into finished goods that can generate greater economic value.

“Our next major focus, therefore, is industrialisation and support for small businesses. That is the only way we can deepen our shared prosperity agenda.”

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He added that this would be achieved through heavy investment in creating a conducive environment for investors.

The governor said, “We invested substantially in infrastructure during the first term, and I believe we have made considerable progress. This does not mean we will abandon infrastructure development, but we will now give greater attention to industrialisation and supporting small businesses – welders, tailors, hairdressers, barbers and other small-scale entrepreneurs must have access to affordable funds to grow their businesses.

“Our farmers must also be able to produce and have reliable off-takers who can purchase their produce and supply it to companies that will add value through processing.

“The central objective of our second term is to catalyse productivity. That is a clear mandate and it is reflected in the 2027 budget that we have presented to the State House of Assembly. We will do everything possible to ensure that our economy becomes more productive.”

He said that in view of the role the airport would play in the investment and industrialisation drive, his administration would ensure in the second term that the Ekiti airport “operates for 24 hours rather than shutting down at 6pm or being unable to accommodate aircraft during adverse weather conditions. We have been working on these issues. We installed an Instrument Landing System and the certification team is on the ground assessing it.”

The governor said the state was still developing the master plan on road connectivity, adding that his administration undertook several interventions on township roads in the first term.

He said, “As we speak, we are reactivating work on nearly 80kms of township roads. You are also aware that Ado-Ekiti continues to expand daily, with development spreading into new areas.”

On water supply, Oyebanji said there would be interventions.

He said, “In this second term, we have a comprehensive programme to address the challenges facing water supply, with a major focus on replacing the old pipes. We have also established water consumers’ committees in communities to help ensure that the system works effectively.”