GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has described the empowerment of people in informal sector of the economy as one of the cardinal objectives of his administration.

He therefore said his administration had since its inception some four years ago disbursed over N1.2billion to traders, farmers, market men and women as well as artisans under its empowerment programme.

Governor Ahmed, who stated this at the opening of Brightway Microfinance Bank in Ilorin, said the money was disbursed through 10 Microfinance Banks across the state.

He noted that the scheme has also enhanced inclusive banking as financial services have been extended "to more than 50,000 individuals and 2,500 cooperatives that will otherwise have been excluded from banking services." Meanwhile, the state government has denied claims that Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and the crisis at the National Assembly are responsible for the delay in constituting the state executive council.

In a statement by Dr. Muyideen Akorede, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, the state government described the claims as false, unfounded, and insensitive. Stressing that Governor Ahmed had addressed the issue during last week's interactive programme with the press, entitled 'The Governor Explains', the statement re-emphasized that the delayed appointment of commissioners and special advisers was caused by the financial challenges facing the state and the need to adjust government programmes and plans accordingly.

According to the statement, Ahmed could only constitute his cabinet and make other necessary appointments after finalising strategies to ensure prompt payment of workers' salaries and meet other important obligations promptly.