Date: 2010-04-15

A bill to transform the Kwara State Action Committee on Aids (KWASACA) into a full fledged Agency to address all issues relating to the management and control of HIV/AIDS in the State has been signed into law.
The transformation was a direct response to the request of the World Bank and other International development partners to enable States benefit from the World Bank funds to fight the HIV/ AIDS pandemic.
 Speaking at the signing ceremony, the State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki said the law would formalize activities of the defunct committee and commended members for working tirelessly over the years in the fight against the prevalence of the deadly disease in the State.

He expressed confidence that with the passage of the bill, the agency would continue to work harder to further reduce the spread of the scourge.

The Governor assured the agency of necessary government support to have more antiretroviral centres across the State to combat the spread of the dreaded disease and enhance healthy living of the citizens.
Dr Saraki, who praised members of the State House of Assembly for the accelerated passage of the bill, charged the agency to redouble their efforts and do more for the people of the State.

Earlier, the Deputy Governor, Chief Joel Ogundeji, who is also the Chairman of the agency had praised Dr Saraki for supporting the fight against HIV/ AIDS in the State, pointing out that there had been reduction in the spread of the scourge in the State from 2.8% in 2005 to 1.8% in 2008.
With the passage of the bill, Ogundeji said, different donor agencies will now collaborate with KWASACA to assist in the sustainability of HIV/AIDS programmes in the State.
He thanked the governor fro his support to the agency and the State House of Assembly for promptly attending to the passage of the bill.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Babatunde Mohammed described the passage of the ‘State Aids Control Agency Bill’ as a demonstration of Dr Saraki’s deep concern for the welfare and health status of the citizens as well as his determination and commitment to reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS to an insignificant index.

 While assuring the governor of the cooperation of the House to the policies and programmes of the State Government, the Speaker charged the agency to live up to expectation by being committed to the challenge of reducing the level of HIV/AIDS in the State.
With the signing of the bill into law, the agency would now be able to access grants from the World Bank and other international donor agencies in the fight against the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the State.

MAS’UD ADEBIMBE
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
15/04/10