The Kwara State government is to establish an Independent Power Project (IPP) next year in the north senatorial district of the state.

The State Executive Council(SEC) also on Tuesday approved the establishment of Kwara State Agency for Micro, Small and Medium scale enterprises.

The new agency will be saddled with the responsibility of managing the N2billion loan the state plan to access from the Central Bank as well as the existing N750m loan scheme for SMEs in the state.

The Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the state governor, Dr Muideen Akorede announced the development during the post SEC meeting in Ilorin on Tuesday.

Akorede added that the SEC called on the federal government to refund to the state the N4billion it spent on the reconstruction of Kosubosu road- a federal road.

While noting that the SMEs Agency will promote entreprenurship among the youths and make them become employers of labour, Akorede also disclosed that the International Vocational Centre at Ajase-Ipo will commence operation in 2015.

He also said that the SEC approved the 2015 budget proposals as presented by the Finance commissioner and that it would be presented to the state house of assembly today by Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed.

Governor, Ahmed announced the proposed establishment of the IPP on Monday at the flag-off of 32.8km Ilesha-Baruba-Gwanara Road project in Baruten local government area of the State.

He said the power plant expected to generate 100 megawatts of electricity will "power industrial clusters and essential services thus freeing up energy for homes and business in a manner that enhances the welfare of our people and stimulates job creation."

He also said that 40 secondary schools in Kwara North were part of the 120 across the State that would be rebuilt and equipped in line with global standards and local needs next year.

On the Ilesha-Baruba-Gwanara road project, the Governor said it will cost about N1.5b, adding that the project would subsequently be extended to Kenu and Okuta to cover that flank of the local government.