The former lawmaker representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency I in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, has commended former Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti Statw for fulfilling his dream to resuscitate the abandoned Ire Burnt Bricks.
Daramola said he remained grateful to the former governor as the company rolled out its first products on Tuesday to the joy of management staff and residents.
He said the nay-sayers, both within the state and outside, who doubted “our sincerity to get the company back on stream” should now go to the company to see the product of vision and commitment.
Also, the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, congratulated Fayemi and Ekiti State people for the resumption of production in the company.
Olatubosun said Fayemi’s dynamism and commitment to the industrialisation of Ekiti State had resulted in the great feat.
He urged the new administration to emulate the former governor by making industrialisation one of its development agenda.
Daramola noted in a statement that what appeared an impossibility was made possible by Fayemi who committed both financial and human resources at the disposal of the company to ensure that necessary structures were put in place to ensure the completion of the project.
He added that the rolling out of first sets of products by the company was a dream fulfilled, saying Ekiti State people had looked forward to the completion of the project for employment opportunities it would generate.
Daramola explained that the Burnt Bricks Company was abandoned 22 years ago, but Fayemi in his industrial development agenda insisted that the industry would be brought back to life by fully paying for the completion of the industry before he left office.
He added: “I told my people that if they could give me their mandate, I would ensure the completion of the project. Working with the state government on this, Fayemi took bond in the capital market to resuscitate the industry, among other income generating development projects he executed. He engaged professionals and gave them a matching order to bring the industry back on stream. The result is what we are celebrating today as the company begins production.
“I want to thank Governor Fayemi for turning the moribund industry into a viable commercial enterprise that will not only put Ire-Ekiti on the nation’s map but will also create jobs for the people of the agrarian state.
“Besides creating direct job opportunities, the industry will also create opportunities for service providers whose services will be needed by the company and its staff.”
Daramola urged members of the community to jealously guide against any illegal activities that would hamper the operations of the company, while also calling on the entrepreneurs in the area to make use of the opportunity to expand their business frontiers by patronizing the company for distributorship.
Daramola urged the new administration to emulate Fayemi in looking inward for local revenue sources to enhance the financial standing of the state.
“I hereby plead with the new administration to allow the company flourish by leaving its affairs in the hands of professional management staff and should not politicize a potential revenue earner by starving it of the needed support just because it is a project of his predecessor,” he said.