Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has commenced the construction of a Women Development Centre to honour the memory of late Deputy-Governor of the state, Mrs. Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka.
The project is located close to the graveside of the late politician, and that the move is sequel to a promise made by the governor late year saying the gesture was in appreciation of her contribution to the development of the state and commitment to the cause of women in her lifetime.
The late Olayinka who died of cancer on April 6, 2013 was buried at a site designated as Heroes Park by the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration on April 26, 2013.
The site which was located at Fajuyi area in the heart of Ado Ekiti was marked out by the Fayemi administration for burial of distinguished Ekiti sons and daughters who had made their marks and performed heroic feats while alive.
At the site of the uncompleted Civic Centre across the road stands a statue of the late Mrs. Olayinka which was erected by the Fayemi administration.
No work has been carried out on the Civic Centre by the Fayose administration since it came to power on October 16 last year.
A visit to the site on Monday by our reporter revealed a busy day for workmen and women who were working on the decking of the structure which had already been overlaid with iron rods.
Contract for the project was awarded to a company known as GRIDS ASSOCIATES which started work on the site on April 1 but had a break before moving back to the site on May 1.
Project engineer, Segun Balogun, said that the speed of work was being accelerated to meet up with Fayose’s first anniversary in office.
Balogun explained that Fayose, whom he said, was very passionate about the project, hopes to commission it for public use in October to celebrate the first year in office.
The engineer stated that funding would not be a problem to the work as funds that would see the project to its completion have been provided.
According to him, Fayose should be commended for the project for rising above partisan consideration since he (Fayose) and the late Mrs. Olayinka belong to different political parties.
Balogun said: “The governor has been giving us tremendous support on this Women Development Centre under construction and the he wants to immortalize the late deputy governor who was buried here.
“When we finish work on the structure, the roadwork that will lead to the tomb is a good design.
“The governor has no sentiment about the project, the late Mrs. Olayinka belonged to a different party but the governor who is from another party is using the project to immortalise her.
“And he is carrying out this project and financing it at a time when there is paucity of funds, I think he should be commended”.
