Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, said that the newly signed Ekiti State Property Protection (anti-land grabbing, second amendment law, 2024) passed into law by the state House of Assembly was based on the need to regulate and sanitise land acquisition processes in the state.
The governor further assured the people of the state that the next two years will witness achievements that will surpass what he did in the first two years.
The governor, whose administration clocked two years on Wednesday, which he marked with a presentation of a ‘State of the State’ address to Ekiti people before the House of Assembly, spoke in Ado Ekiti on Thursday while signing three laws which would positively impact the development of the state.
Oyebanji lauded members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, for support to his government, saying, “Without your support, there is no way we would have been able to do anything because you provided a legal framework that enables us to implement most of those decisions that have translated into the outcomes we are all proud of today.
“I am also grateful to you for your understanding in ensuring we put people first by slicing the cake in a way and manner that everybody will have a piece of that cake.
“Going forward, the next two years are going to be characterised by many achievements that will surpass the first two years, as it is said that the reward for hard work is more work.
“We enjoy goodwill with our people in Ekiti State; people seem to like what we are doing, but there is a danger in that. The danger is that we must not rest on our oars because we must avoid a reversal of the gains we have had in the last two years,” the governor said.
Speaking on the newly signed Ekiti State Property Protection (anti-land grabbing, second amendment law, 2024), the governor said, “The law, when fully operational, will prohibit forceful entry, illegal occupation of landed properties, fraudulent and violent conducts pertaining to landed properties in the state.
“For the laws that we are signing today, I am particularly excited about the anti-land grabbing law. This has been an issue in this state; it has stunted growth, it has stunted development, but now that we have a regulatory framework that gives us the legal power, I can assure you that we will implement that law to the letter, no matter who is involved.”
The other bills that were signed into law on the occasion included High Court Law (First Amendment, 2014) and Ekiti State Legislative House (Powers and Privileges) Law, 2024.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, said, “The event signposts the journey to further advance the dividends of democracy to the people.”
He added that members of the House andwere always working in tandem with the executive, which had helped deepen development in the state.
Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye; Deputy Speaker, Bolaji Olagbaju; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; members of the state House of Assembly; and members of the state executive council.
