Kwara State government has approved N850 million Community-based Development Programme for the implementation of projects in the rural areas across the state.

Speaking at a meeting with stakeholders in Ilorin, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said the community-based development programme is part of his administration's efforts to take people-focussed projects to the 192 wards in the state.

The governor, who said that each project would cost about N4 million, added that the projects would be chosen and implemented by ward-based Community Development Associations (CDAs).

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, the governor said each CDA will also be required to contribute 10 per cent of the cost of the project as a condition for accessing the funds. The governor said that the programme will focus on projects in roads, education, health, energy and water.

He, however, emphasised that the programme is separate from his administration's existing infrastructure programmes which would be funded on a different financing platform.

Governor Ahmed, therefore, called on the 192 wards to set up CDAs or strengthen existing ones to participate in the scheme as government will soon release other modalities for participation.