This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, by the State Public-Private Partnership Bureau.

The Kwara State Government is to deploy streetlights and independent power infrastructures within Ilorin metropolis and other major centres across the 16 local government areas of the State through a Public Private Partnership model.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, by the State Public-Private Partnership Bureau.

KP3 said the decision followed an extensive infrastructure asset availability and sufficiency review, which revealed that streetlights and power infrastructures found across the State were not properly meeting the needs of the people.

The Bureau said since these are critical infrastructure to the safety and security of life and property, human capital development services and diverse commercial activity, it was determined that project should be implemented through an open bid under a public-private partnership procurement style.

KP3 said that the State government will set the minimum expected service performance standards for the private partners, who are expected to invest their finances and expertise to ensure that the assets are always in acceptable working order.

The statement added that the partner companies will be responsible for the design, finance and maintenance of both the streetlights and independent power infrastructure assets.

Continuing, KP3 explained that the additional power generated through the independent power project will increase the overall volume of power available to various users in the State.

The Bureau disclosed that a total of thirty-three companies had responded to the two separate request for qualification for both the streetlights and independent power infrastructure projects, and their submissions have been assessed by KP3.

Consequently, request for proposals has been issued to the shortlisted companies who are expected to provide their technical and financial submissions for the respective projects. KP3 said the final partner companies for the projects are expected to be announced in the second or third week of May 2016.