Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has flagged off the reconstruction of the 64 kilometreKishi-Kaiama federal government road at a cost of N7.9bn just as he commissioned the modernised General Hospital in Kaiama to deepen access to quality healthcare.

Speaking at the flag off, Governor Ahmed said although Kaiama-Kishi Road is a federal government road, his administration was driven by the need to promote the wellbeing and boost commerce as its rehabilitation would reduce the hardship experienced by the people on the route.

Governor Ahmed expressed concern that the federal government has defaulted in reimbursing the state government for its expenditure on federal roads in the past: " The 64 kilometer Kaiama–KishiRoad is being reconstructed for a contract sum of N7.9 billion. It is important to emphasize as we flag off this road that the Federal Government is yet to refund the N4b outstanding balance for the rehabilitation of Ilesha Baruba-Chikanda Road more than five years after the road was completed."

"I once again call on the Federal Government to pay all monies owed the state as a result of our intervention on key roads in the state. Despite these setbacks, our administration will continue to intervene on federal and indeed other road projects in the state to reduce the discomfort caused by compromised roads. " "We also remain committed to ensuring that every community in our state no matter how remote will be connected to the national electricity grid through transformer installation."

On the modernised General Hospital in Kaiama , the governor said it was equipped with the state-of-the-art medical facilities and fortified with qualified and committed medical personnel who could compete favourably with their peers across the globe while the frontiers of community health insurance scheme was been expanded state- wide.

"We remain committed to expanding and upgrading our health system having realized that good health is a prerequisite for productivity. In view of this, my administration intends to remodel additional hospitals and build new ones in 2015. Furthermore, we will invest another N7b as co-premium in our desire to extend subsidized community health insurance to all rural dwellers in our state", he said.

He called on the people of Kaiama to make the best use of the facilities for their medical needs and desist from patronizing quacks who could worsen their health rather than improving it, adding that the health personnel must always exhibit high sense of responsibility and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

On the same day, Governor Ahmed was conferred with the title Jarman of Kaiama by the Emir of Kaiama , Alhaji Muazu Shehu Omar, a title which confers on the governor privileges such as being a warrior for the community, an arrow head of the Palace and a member of the Emirate.

He pledged his services at the disposal of the Emir, the Emirate Council and people of Kaiama area.

Abdulwahab Oba

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.