By Gbenga Ariyibi

ADO-EKITI – Ekiti  State Government has embarked on gradual reductions of salaries of political appointees in the state, saying the current global economic meltdown, which is having its toll on the economy of the state could no longer support jumbo payment for the political appointees

The State’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Taiwo Olatubosun, who disclosed this to newsmen weekend in Ado Ekiti, said goverment has  sent two bills to the State House of Assembly on the review of salaries of political appointees, adding that the law when passed would take into consonance the recommendation of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission review committee.

The second bill, according to him is for the establishment of Ekiti State Judiciary Institute. The institute would be an avenue for training the judicial officers in the state.

Meanwhile, the State Government has approved the selection of two candidates to occupy the vacant stools of Oniropora and Alayebode respectively. The Commissioner said the State Government has approved the selection of Prince Joel Olonibua as the Oniropora of Iropora and Prince Augustin Famoroti as the Alayebode of Ayebode respectively.

Olatubosun who disclosed  that a slight restructuring would be done on the Regency law in the State, noted that in the new law, Regent tenure would expire in two years before the selection of new Monarch, adding that anyone that complies with the new law would be given a terminal benefits

The Commissioner  explained that the Government was taking this measure in order to allay their fears of poverty after leaving the throne, adding the measure would also discourage sit tight Regents.

In the same vein, he said restructuring was taking place in some of the existing Ministries, adding that Youth Development had been added to the portfolio of Ministry of Women Affairs, while Ministry of Lands and Housing had been splited into two, with Housing now existing as different entity and the former Special Adviser on ICT as its head.