The Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has implored the federal government to reimburse the State the balance of the N12 billion it spend on federal roads in the last nine years, just as he appealed to the federal government to repair all federal roads in the state.

Governor Ahmed who made the call in Erin-Ile, Oyun local government area of the State, during the 15th Erin-Ile Day celebration at the weekend however, assured the people that despite the unpaid sum, "as a responsive administration, we have recently commenced an intervention on Ajasse-Ipo-Erin-Ile road to make it more motorable while continuously seeking intervention by the federal government under whose purview the road is supposed to be rehabilitated and maintained".

While calling on communities in the state to maintain good neighbourliness and shun all forms of rancour, particularly land related disputes, adding that "as our recent history as a nation has demonstrated, violence is not only frequently furtile but also inflicts considerable damage on the affected communities, Dr Ahmed emphasised that his administration would continue to implement people friendly programmes that would enhance the economic and social well-being of the people under its shared prosperity programme.

He recalled that his administration's appreciation of the importance of good road to the economic wellbeing of the people informed the implementation of the first phase of 800 kilometres rural and urban roads development, adding that more roads would be constructed in the coming years to open up the state for economic development.

Dr Ahmed also said that communities must partner with governments at all levels for infrastructural development through an inclusive platform that will see the communities partaking in the provision and maintenance of such projects.

According to the Governor, this was imperative against the backdrop of the fact that governance in the country was confronted by "twin challenges of a more assertive demand by the people for higher service and transparency as well as dwindling resources occasioned by turbulence in the global oil market". These challenges, he said, informed his administration's pursuit of policies that could enhance peoples' prosperity through optimal utilization of available resources.

Governor Ahmed recalled that his administration has enhanced the economic equality of the people through the provision of a N250million micro credit scheme for small businesses, creation of more than 2000 youth jobs, while massive infrastructural programme covering roads, education, electricity, water supply, hospitals and security have been implemented.

He commended Offa and Erin-Ile communities for chosen the path of peaceful co-existence adding that the traditional rulers of both communities have only recently restated their commitment to peace at a meeting with the State Government.

The Elerin of Erin-Ile, Oba AbdulGaniyu Ajibola Ibrahim Olusookun pleaded with the sons and daughters of the town to work assiduously at ensuring that peace prevailed among them so that they would be able to bring development to the area.