Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State has put smiles on the faces of the people of the state with his recent achievement with the Ultra-Modern Market Project. The project which started with the Fayose-led administration has seen its completion. The Oja-Oba Market, a large market designed to house over eight hundred and fifty (850), shops with ceramic floor works, modern facilities, and an impressive view. The Governor in celebration of his second term anniversary handed the market over for public use. He explained that the market will enable people of the state easy access to modern facilities which in turn will boost commerce and other economic activities in the state. Facilities therein include 234 open shops, 738 lock-up shops, two restaurants, two banking halls, two warehouses, a police post, a clinic, and an expansive parking lot.
It is a commendable feat of the Kayode Fayemi administration because it has proven to the people that governance is a continuum. Kayode Fayemi took up the project which was 65% in progress under the former Governor Ayodele Fayose government without causing any bureaucratic bottlenecks. He retained the services of the contractors that the former governor awarded the contract and made sure that the promise of an ultramodern market for the people did not turn into a colossal abandoned project. Usually a lot of abandoned projects dot the landscapes in many states in the federation, because there exists a cycle of abandoned infrastructures due to the fact that the ego of the present administration hopes to undermine the attempts of the past administration. Governor Kayode Fayemi’s personal integrity, national sensibility, democratic flexibility shows in the adoption of the project of the People’s Democratic Party without rancour. The governor has put the aspirations of the people above all considerations and has also given kudos to the forerunner. The Governor as such has urged traders who still display their wares on roadside and standby junctions to move into the market which was the very basis for setting up and replicating similar market places across the state.
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In the same way, the Oba of the people in Ado Ekiti Central, Ewi, Oba Adejugbe, stated at the inauguration ceremony of the completed project that he was particularly grateful to the Governor of the State for fulfilling his promise to build a modern market in Ado Ekiti. He commended the Governor for his statement that he will never abandon projects in Ekiti.
The Oba also emphasized the importance of maintenance. He charged the people to take care of the shops and pay their rent as and when due. In his own words he says: ‘we appeal to you to make a good use of this place. Keep the place clean. Pay your rent as and when due because a lot of numbers has gone into this project.’
Nelson Okoh