Ekiti Assembly Warns Against Exploitation Of Residents

Ekiti State House of Assembly has issued a stern warning to individuals and public and private organisations exploiting and inflicting hardship on the people of the state through their unwholesome business activities.

This came as the state government promised continued engagement with the grassroots people to ensure that their needs are met.

The speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, who stated this, said a tough time awaits estate agents, petrol stations, land grabbers, and middlemen in markets, among others, found engaging in such sharp practices.

Aribasoye stated this during a special stakeholders engagement, plenary session on citizens engagement, aimed at enhancing Ekiti citizens participation in governance processes and ensuring that all voices are considered held at the Assembly Complex in Ado Ekiti.

The engagement was powered by the Office of Community Communications in conjunction with the Justice Development and Peace Initiatives (JDPI) and Ekiti State House of Assembly.

He said, “Though the House had passed a law to check the activities of land grabbers, it would also devise stringent measures to address cases of filling stations, estate agents, and traders who deliberately extort members of the public, thus complicating the harsh effect of the current economic situation on the people.”

The speaker noted that the present administration would not tolerate any illegal activity that could jeopardise Governor Oyebanji’s vision and efforts to make Ekiti a model for other states.

Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, the director-general of the Office of Community Communications, Mrs. Mary Oso-Omotosho, and other cabinet members at the stakeholders’ engagement pledged to ensure constant engagement with people at the grassroots to identify their major basic needs and priorities to enhance their development.

It was agreed that government does not need to work only by its manifestos alone but to also take  sometimes to verify if its plans are truly the reflection and  align with the needs of the people

In their separate addresses the stakeholders noted that the government of Biodun Oyebanji is a listening government which gives utmost priority to human capital and community development.

In his remarks, Kayode Babatuyi, chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council, suggested that political office holders should make themselves accessible to people at the grassroots to give them a sense of belonging.