Ekiti approves ₦3bn for new High Court complex

File: Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji

The Ekiti State Government has approved ₦3 billion for the construction of a new High Court Office Complex at the Ekiti State High Court of Justice premises, Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

The state Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday that the approval was made at the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.

The commissioner noted that the construction was necessary to accommodate the court’s operational demands, including the recent appointment of five Judges at the State High Court.

Olatunbosun said, “The Ekiti State Executive Council approved the sum of ₦3,005,598,300.00 for the construction of a new High Court Office Complex at the Ekiti State High Court of Justice premises, Ado-Ekiti.

“The approval was necessitated by the inadequacy of the existing office accommodation and court infrastructure of the High Court to meet current operational demands, particularly following the recent appointment of five additional High Court Judges, which has increased the need for more courtrooms, Judges’ chambers and supporting office facilities.

“The new complex is intended to provide a conducive and functional working environment for judicial officers, court staff and legal practitioners, while improving the overall administration of justice and access to judicial services in the state.

“The project is expected to significantly improve the working environment and operational capacity of the Ekiti State Judiciary, while strengthening the infrastructure required for the efficient and effective administration of justice in the state.”

According to him, Messrs Axial Nigeria Limited, a company currently handling a project at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, was engaged through the Direct Procurement method in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State Public Procurement Law, with an 18-month completion period.

The commissioner said that council approved the employment of 30 Persons with Disabilities into the state’s public service, with the beneficiaries to be deployed across relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

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He said, “Council further directed that the provision of the Ekiti State Disability Law prescribing a 5 per cent reservation of employment opportunities for PWDs must, henceforth, be strictly adhered to in all employment exercises into the State Civil Service.

“The decision is aimed at promoting equal opportunities, inclusive governance and equitable access to employment for Persons with Disabilities, while ensuring that they are fully integrated into the State’s public service and development process.”

Olatunbosun said that the sum of ₦142.69 million was approved for the construction of a pump to provide reliable and sustainable water supply to the newly constructed 80-bed hospital complex at EKSUTH.

“The project is expected to provide the necessary water infrastructure to support the effective operation of the 80-bed hospital complex and enhance reliable water supply within the facility,” he said.

Also, the sum of ₦194.66m was approved for the supply and installation of transformers and other electrical accessories at the 80-bed multipurpose building of the EKSUTH, to facilitate its effective occupation and use.

He said, “The approval covers the supply and installation of the required transformers and accessories, with a one-month completion period, to be executed through direct labour by the Ekiti State Electricity Board, to support the timely completion, occupation and commencement of operations at the facility.”

The council also approved N145m for the overhauling and extension of the State Enterprise Broadband Network Infrastructure across MDAs to strengthen e-governance and improve the efficiency of service delivery across the state.

The commissioner said, “The decision is expected to significantly strengthen the state’s digital infrastructure, improve inter-agency communication, enhance access to government information systems and further advance the administration’s e-governance agenda for faster, more efficient and technology-driven public service delivery”.