…as BSP boss lauds collaboration among key economic management, governance and oversight agencies.

The Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Special Projects, Mr Olubunmi Talabi, has reaffirmed the commitment of the State Bureau of Special Projects (BSP) to executing strategic and high-impact infrastructure projects in line with the administration’s development agenda.

Talabi who stated this while featuring on Ekiti Loni/Ekiti Today, a live radio programme in Ado-Ekiti said the BSP was established to develop and manage state and sectoral infrastructure projects, as well as coordinate and execute special projects across the state.

According to him, the bureau’s mandate is to translate the infrastructure component of the administration’s agenda into tangible projects capable of improving residents’ quality of life and stimulating socio-economic development.

Talabi listed some of the projects being executed or supervised by the bureau to include the renovation and upgrade of the NYSC Orientation Camp, Emure-Ise-Orun; construction of a 900-seat multipurpose indoor sports complex in Ado-Ekiti; and the ongoing renovation and upgrade of the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti.

He said the stadium project was aimed at attracting football clubs and creating facilities capable of hosting national and international competitions.

The Special Adviser also listed the upgrading of Fajuyi Memorial Park into a world-class tourism and knowledge centre; construction of an 80-bed hospital complex at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital; and construction of a new High Court complex among the projects being executed or supervised by the bureau.

Other projects,being executed or supervised by the BSP according to him, include the e-library at the State Polytechnic, Isan-Ekiti, with complementary facilities for young farmers; perimeter fencing of Government Colleges, Oye-Ekiti and Efon-Alaaye; renovation and upgrading of infrastructure at three special schools in Ikoro, Ikere and Ido-Ekiti; and renovation and construction works at St. John’s School, Afolu-Ise-Ekiti.

Talabi attributed the progress recorded in project execution to the professionalism of staff and effective collaboration among key economic management, governance and oversight agencies.

He identified the State Bureau of Public Procurement, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery (OTSD), Ministry of Finance and the Independent Project Monitoring Committee as some of the agencies involved in the process.

He described the agencies as institutional gatekeepers and regulators that ensure proper monitoring of projects before payments were recommended to contractors.

Talabi said the collaboration had contributed to the timely delivery of projects, quality assurance and value for money under the Oyebanji administration.

He described Gov. Biodun Oyebanji as a hands-on governor who regularly toured the state to inspect projects and assess their progress.

According to him, such inspection visits enable the governor to make informed decisions on budgetary planning and project execution.

“Whatever is being done is to the credit of the governor,” Talabi said, while commending Oyebanji for providing adequate funding for the bureau’s activities.

He reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to developing and managing strategic infrastructure and sectoral projects across the state, saying the interventions were designed to close critical infrastructure gaps and support the administration’s broader development objectives.

Talabi added that, beyond supervising government building projects, the bureau comprised professionals from various fields and operated a direct-labour system that enabled it to respond promptly to urgent infrastructure needs.

He said, as part of efforts to provide a conducive working environment for staff, the governor had recently commissioned an ultramodern office complex and a 100-seat multipurpose hall constructed through the bureau’s direct-labour system.

The Special Adviser said the government also patronised local artisans in project execution in line with the state’s local content policy.

He explained that artisans were sourced locally and their work monitored through the state’s artisan body to ensure quality and compliance with required standards.