Date: 2016-08-26

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has commended the federal government's intervention in the reconstruction of federal roads across the state, describing the initiative the first in the last 16 years in the State.

Governor Ahmed made this commendation when the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola visited him at the Government House, Ilorin ahead of the 5th meeting of National Council on Lands, Housing and Urban Development holding in the state capital.

Governor Ahmed noted that poor maintenance of roads in the past had created the poor state of federal roads transversing Kwara State and other parts of the country.

According to the Governor, incremental support in creating new roads and maintaining old ones was necessary for economic development, especially now that there is a national focus on non-oil sector for the diversification of the national economy.

"The state government has focused more on the road sector in the state in order to open up more feeder roads to boost commercial agriculture in the state", the governor said.

Dr Ahmed who commended the federal government's resolve to solve the energy sector challenges which he noted has hampered economic and industrial activities in the state, said the strategic roadmap in the energy sector which involves exploring other energy sources would be of great benefit to the country as industrial activities will pick up with stable energy supply in the country.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola said the federal government was committed to making its roads motorable as part of efforts in meeting the expectations of Nigerians.

According to the Minister, "at least six federal roads including Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa Road, Offa bye pass, Ajasse-Ipo, Offa-Erin-Ile Road, Kishi-Kaiama roads are at different stages of construction, while Afon-Aboto road that connects Kwara to Oyo State, Ilori-Omu-Aran-Egbe in Kogi State road, Share-Patigi road patigi Egon road as well as Ohan and Moro bridges are captured in the 2016 federal budget for construction".

Fashola advised state governments to ensure better synergy with Federal Controller of Works in their states in order to ensure smooth operation in road rehabilitation and construction.

Source: HeraldNews