Date: 2017-10-25

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has said the State Executive Council has approved the construction of 12 kilometre Osi-Obbo-Ajegunle/Ekiti Road for N1.02bn.

He said that the council also approved the construction of 10 kilometre Oke-Onigbin/Isanlu-Isi Road for N435m.

Ahmed spoke through the Commissioner for Transport and Works, Alhaji Aro Yahaya, on Tuesday at a press briefing after the meeting. The governor stated that the two road projects would be ready in 10 months.

He added that payment was under the Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund model.

He explained that the topography and type of culverts, drainage and bridges of the two roads differed.

Ahmed's Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, stated that there would be no abandoned or uncompleted project at the end of the governor's second tenure.

He explained that all inherited projects from the administration of his predecessor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who currently is the Senate President; and the projects initiated during the governor's first and second terms would be completed by Ahmed.

The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Babatunde Ajeigbe, said the council also approved the automation of all internally generated revenue collection processes by all ministries, departments and agencies.

He explained this was with a view to operating a cashless system and ensuring that the state took advantage of technology in its revenue drive.

The governor's Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, said the governor attached priority to infrastructure and human capital development.

Akorode quoted the governor as promising to complete all ongoing projects including the renovation of the indoor hall of the state stadium complex, Gari Alimi Diamond Underpass and the secretariat complex.

According to him, the state government will commit 70 per cent of its 2018 budget to capital expenditure.

He said, "Some people will feel that this is a second-term governor; he should not be doing much of infrastructure; but the governor underlined his commitment to growing the state in terms of infrastructure and raising the necessary funds for that infrastructure."