Fayose’s Business-Straining Policies Destroying Ekiti – Group

An Ekiti based socio-political group, The Trueface of Ekiti (TFoE), has condemned in strong terms the policies of Governor Ayodele Fayose led administration that has sent more than five private business organizations out of the shores of the State under three years.

In a statement signed by the group’s Chief Operating officer (COO), Prince ‘Tosin Jegede, it alleges that more than five private enterprises have been shut down by Governor Fayose between October 2014 and March 2017.

Jegede said “the first organisation affected by the Governor Fayose’s draconian action was Coca-Cola depot that was shutdown about a year ago. The next was the shutdown of all Ecobank Plc branches in Ekiti State over an issue that can be resolved amicably between the bank and Ekiti state government. In fact, the Governor personally padlocked one of the bank’s branches in Ado – Ikere Road. Two weeks ago, GtBank was shut down by the Governor not minding the effects of such actions on the citizens of the state”.

Continuing , the group COO said “ On Monday 20th  March 2017, again the good people of Ekiti woke up to see all gas stations under locks in protest against another draconian decision from the state government. The gas station owners alleged that the CofO of some of their members were revoked by a fiat of the Governor and that arbitrary taxes were imposed on them”.

The group said it is not against government improving on its revenue drive but condemned any action of Government that tends to increase the hardship of the citizens beyond what they are currently experiencing. “It is important we restate clearly that we are not against government responsible approach towards improvement of internally generated revenue. However, we seek an approach that will lead to harmonious relationship between government and private investors in Ekiti, thereby generating jobs for our teaming unemployed youths.

Clearly, Ekiti state government, under the leadership of Governor Fayose, has failed in its responsibility to the workforce. One will expect a conscious drive by the government towards encouraging private sector investments in the state and not embarking on policies that will further increase unemployment and plunge  the citizens into more hardship”

“Our investigation shows that over 5000 citizens of Ekiti lost their sources of livelihood directly and indirectly in the last two years due to government’s clamp down on businesses. We also noticed that the administration of Governor Ayo Fayose has not attracted any major direct private or public investments into the State since he assumed office as the Governor of Ekiti October 2014. Rather, he had sent many established businesses out of the state for various flimsy and personal reasons”

The group appealed to the administration of Governor Fayose to consider the citizens of Ekiti in his dealings with private investors for the overall interests of the state. He pointed out that every action of government that leads to the closure of business has direct adverse effects on the citizenry.