Transportation

Ekiti Cargo Airport: Farmers Protest Non-payment of Compensation

By Web News 483

Aggrieved Farmers have taken to the major road leading to the Cargo Airport at the outskirts of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State in the early hours of Thursday, in their bid to ensure compensation was paid to them for their lands and farm produce destroyed in the course of building the airstrips.

The farmers numbering about 100 used iron bars, big sticks and set fire to tyres and made the road unaccessible to the people.

The visibly angry farmers accused Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of shortchanging them and depriving them of their rights and entitlements.

Remember that the agitation has started since February, 2022, when some old men and women who were original land and farm owners complained bitterly that their lands and farm produce were destroyed to pave way for the airport.

The leader of the farmers, Mr. Peter Ishola said they have written the Governor, House of Assembly and even stage a walk to Secretariat to plead with the state governor to no avail.

As early as 6:00 am, the protesters in their numbers blocked the Ago Aduloju road leading to the airport and later the major road linking Ado and Ikare Akoko, Ondo state.

The trucks conveying the workers to the site were stopped at Ago Aduloju and denied entry.

Some of the workers who tried to walk down to the site were also stopped while traffic built up down to the Ogbese bridge as commuters were seen turning back following the major roadblock.

One of the Chinese contractors who came in company of some soldiers guarding the airport tried his best to calm the farmers but his efforts proved abortive.

When contacted, state Commissioner for Information, Mr Akin Omole who spoke through a phone call said he would get across to the appropriate bodies in charge of the project who will see to the grievances of the protesting farmers.

Olaniyi Alade

Lifestyle

Cleric Calls For Better Welfare Packages For Military Personnel

By Web News 601

A Cleric, the Reverend Father Lawrence Adetola has appealed to the federal government to initiate better welfare packages for military personnel, legionnaires and families of the nation’s fallen heroes.

He made the appeal in Ado Ekiti at a special service in commemoration of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at the Government House Chapel.

The Reverend Father Adetola also asked government to provide sophisticated equipment for the military to enable them to fight terrorism, banditry, insurgency and crimes ravaging some parts of the country.

The cleric who is the Chaplain of Government House Chapel urged the miltary personnel still in active service to always defend the nation’s territorial integrity to guarantee peace and national development.

The Catholic cleric who acknowledged the selfless service of the legionnaires and their contributions to nation building, said the ex-service men deserved to be celebrated.

In a remark, Governor Kayode Fayemi said government should not only observe the day but also rise up and enhance the operations of the military personnel and improved their well being.

The governor who spoke through his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi gave an assurance of more programmes that would add values to the lives of the legionnaires and families of the fallen heroes.

Tope Bamidele

Economy

Ekiti Govt. Warns Traders against Displaying Wares on Highways

By Web News 888

Ekiti State Government has directed security operatives to arrest any trader who displayed goods on the highways at Ojaoba, Ojabisi, Erekesan market and major streets of Ado-Ekiti.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi gave the directive during an unscheduled visit to monitor the level of compliance by traders to government protocols on reopening of major markets across the state.

Otunba Egbeyemi, who explained that Government had no intention to stop business activities in the major markets, told the traders that all government’s efforts were to protect the people from mishaps, and to ensure free flow of vehicular movement around the major markets.

He said that the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi had mapped out strategies to boost commercial activities in the state, hence the need for all market women to take advantage of the measures put in place.

The Deputy Governor advised those who were still hawking along the streets to go and take shop in Awedele, Agric Olope and Adere markets in order not to run afoul of government decision to ensure clean environment and free flow of traffic.

Otunba Egbeyemi noted that the government would not hesitate to prosecute or seize goods found on the streets of Ado-Ekiti and on the road median along the major markets.

He appealed to the leaders of the market traders to always prevail on their members not to contravene government’s directives during this period of COVID-19. 

Some of the traders, who expressed satisfaction that Government had reopened the major markets in Ado-Ekiti, promised to always adhere to the government protocols on market activities.

They however appealed to Government to help them channel the blocked drainage at the markets which often caused erosion whenever that it rained.

Oriola Afolabi