Since the inception of the administration of Hon. Ajibade Sunday Owolabi, the Okemesi/Ido-Ile LCDA has remained committed to development, empowerment and social welfare of the council.
Although there has been an increase in monthly allocations from the Federal to State and Local Governments, the responsibilities have also increased, especially in the payment of salaries and pensions, with the implementation of the minimum wage described as one of the best in the country.
At present, the LCDA is operating from a temporary site which is not convenient due to lack of adequate offices for staff and management. The administration is therefore concentrating efforts on building a permanent secretariat, comprising 28 offices, 14 toilets, office furniture, 6.5KW solar equipment, among other facilities.
Hon. Ajibade embarked on this ambitious project in view of possible creation of more Local Governments by the National Assembly with the intention to position Okemesi/Ido-Ile LCDA at the forefront in Ekiti State, with facilities that will make it suitable for a full-fledged Local Government. The project is now at 95 per cent completion and will soon be delivered. The new Administrative Building of the LCDA has already been adjudged the best by supervisory agencies in the State among the new LCDAs, and is expected to be commissioned soon.
Infrastructure Achievements
Roofing of Amotekun office extension
Grading and sand filling of Roads in Okemes and Ido Ile
Construction of 30 open stalls market at Ido-Ile Ekiti
Beautification of Okemesi Roundabout, Okemesi-Ekiti
Construction of drainages at Oke-Okuta Road, Okemesi-Ekiti
Construction of solar-powered borehole behind Health Centre, Okemesi-Ekiti
Reconstruction of collapsed access culvert at Ido-Ile Ekiti
Construction of drainages at Hillside University area, Okemesi-Ikoro Road Okemesi EKiti
Repair and complete refurbishment of two non-functional vehicles inherited from parent Local Government for use by the Vice-Chairman and Secretary
Construction of abattoir, Okemesi-Ekiti (on-going)
Filling of failed portions along Okemesi/Itawure Road and Ita ode Road, Okemesi-Ekiti with hardcore stones and laterite
Administrative Convenience
Repair and complete refurbishment of two non functional cars inherited from parent council( Engines replaced) for the use of Vice chairperson and the LCDA secretary.
Purchase of two motorcycles (for IGR department and official errands)
Purchase of office furniture, refrigerator, plasma TV, DSTV and fans
Purchase of Lister engine for power generation
Empowerment Programmes
Empowerment of over 300 farmers with knapsack sprayers, herbicides and cutlasses for the 2023 and 2024 farming seasons
Sponsorship of Adire training for women
Distribution of gas cylinders to 15 women per ward
Donation of laptop to FOIU Free JAMB Coaching Centre
Free JAMB forms for indigent students in 2024 and 2025
Employment of 10 ad-hoc staff
Social Welfare
Continuous food distribution to cushion subsidy removal effects
Support for multiple birth families and elderly persons with food and cash gifts
Water Provision
Solar borehole behind Ketepe Comprehensive Health Centre
Borehole at the permanent site of the LCDA
Security
Purchase of 5 motorcycles for Police, Amotekun, Local Vigilante, and the palaces of Okemesi and Ido-Ile
Forest patrols by joint security teams of Police, Amotekun and Agro Marshals
Employment of security guards at Okemesi and Ido-Ile palaces
Monthly meetings with the representatives of security agencies
Agriculture
Purchase of two acres of land in Okemesi-Ekiti for agricultural purposes
Raising of 7,500 palm seedlings for farmers, sold at subsidised prices
Cultivation of cassava, maize and beans in 2024, processed and sold at subsidised rates
Cultivation of cassava and maize for the 2025 farming season
Donations
Initial donation of ₦500,000 to the new palace project
Financial support for Okemesi and Ido-Ile Day celebrations
Financial assistance to individuals, groups in needs after critical examination.
Note on Allocations
Before the distribution of funds to the various LG we the chairmen agreed to cater for the following deductions known as first line charges to cater for the following expenditures. These include:
Salaries of LG workers
Salaries of primary school teachers
Salaries of primary health workers
Salaries of Local Government Training School staff
Political appointees’ emoluments
Pensions and gratuities of retired LG workers, Primary School teachers etc
Severance allowances and other packages of political office holders, including arrears accumulated from past regimes
Emoluments of traditional rulers
Salaries of palace staff
The LCDA chairman added that while some councils being compared with Okemesi/Ido-Ile receive between 60% and 100% of their allocations after first line charge deductions, Okemesi receives only 30%, Ekameta 30% while Ekiti West Local Government takes 40%.
Signed
Okemesi/Ido-Ile LCDA Media Team
