The Ekiti State government has awarded N59 million contracts for the production of 1,250 furniture items for primary schools in the state under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to local artisans in the state.
Speaking during the contract award in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the chairman, MDGs Implementation in the state, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, said awarding the contracts to local artisans in the project was a fulfillment of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government’s policy thrust for promotion of local contents.
Anisulowo, who is the Chief of Staff to the governor added that Fayose’s action was anchored on his experiences about the expertise of local artisans in Ekiti, whom the governor believed were better in handling projects than those from Lagos and other states of the federation.
He said the desks and chairs will be distributed to selected public primary schools in Ikole, Ado, Ikere, Ilejemeje, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ise-Orun local government areas, to boost education at the lowest rung of the ladder in the state for children to experience better learning, adding that the contract was awarded to Ibijummy Investment Limited and would be prosecuted to uplift the local content policy of the state government.
His words: “Ekiti State being one of the participants in this programme, has always adhered strictly to due diligent procurement policy of the state and federal governments in the implementation and award process of MDGs projects and programmes.
“I therefore, want you to be rest assured that the procurement arrangements we are working out today between the state government, contractors , furniture and welder associations is being brokered.