The Ekiti State Paints Producers Association has been officially recognized by the Ekiti State Government after several years of existence and immense contributions to the economy of the state.
A letter of recognition was during the week handed over to the leaders and executives of the group by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Kayode Fayemi on Mobilisation, Hon. Olatunji Ogunlola who stood in for the Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye at an event held at the Koltotel Hotel, Ado-Ekiti.
The Chief of Staff, while presenting the document urged the body to sustain great cordiality with the State government so as to enable them get benefits and dividends from the government. He added that the State Government resolved to be giving letters of recognition to Associations to avoid division and enlist their commitment to the government.
He, however, urged the Association to support the state government’s efforts in boosting its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by ensuring prompt payment of their taxes regularly.
“The Dr. Kayode Fayemi led government has embarked on road construction across all the Senatorial districts of the state, while new Agro-allied companies in Ekiti will soon be opened. Cargo International Airport that is underway will be for the purpose of agriculture and farming. Your association has been far away from the government for too long. I hereby use this opportunity to call on you to please move closer to us, so that you can benefit from the different loan initiatives of this government to grow your businesses”, the Chief of Staff noted.
He disclosed further that the Governor is preparing to procure new vehicles and he proceeded to urge the body to double its efforts so as to be among the beneficiaries of the new buses, stating that there were 122 Associations in Ekiti State, before the government reduced them to 60.
He, however, appealed to them to be patient with the government, saying “we all need to be patient with this government now because of the dwindling federal allocation coming in from Abuja to the State. For instance, Ekiti State received N2.8billion last month, out of which N2.6billion was used to pay workers’ salaries. This is why the State is presently in a crisis of resources”.
Speaking earlier, the Assistant General Secretary of the body, Adeyemo Mayowa who spoke on behalf of the State President, Mr. Arije Nileola Tope said the Association was first incorporated in the year 2018 as a body of indigenous Paints Producers in Ekiti State with the purpose of fostering unity, promoting social economic interest, peaceful relationship and mutual understanding among members.
He, however, commended the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi for remembering and recognizing them, while calling on the government to come to the aid of the members for their businesses to strive in the State. He assured the readiness of the association to work more closely with the state government in its efforts to move it forward and also increase the state’s internally generated revenue.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
