Kwara residents set agenda for Ahmed
Abdulfatah Ahmed
It’s
a new dawn in Kwara State as Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed assumes office
for his second term of another four years, having completed the first
term.
The Ahmed-led government, which has explained that its low performance in the first term was due to dwindling monthly federal allocation accruable to the state, also said that the un-cooperative attitude of the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government to approve the bond sought at the stock market, prevented it from achieving some of the set development projects for the welfare of people of the state.
Now, with the inauguration of same All Progressives Congress (APC) government at both federal and the state, people of the state have expressed high hope for a better time, in a seeming departure from the government’s slogan of “it’s good here” being used since the past few years.
Governance is a serious business, Nigerians have come to know that. That is the more reasons people appreciate good intentions, ability and efforts put into development activities for welfare of the people by every responsive and responsible government.
Quite aware of the people’s confidence in him to deliver dividends of democracy, the governor also realised the tasks that confront his administration in the task ahead.
Speaking during his second term inauguration last Friday, Governor Ahmed talked about the current challenges in the country, saying “our national economy is on its knees. Global oil prices, the mainstay of our economy are dropping daily, limiting our ability to fulfill our obligations. These challenges are enormous, but we refuse to give in to despair,” adding that his administration’s priority remained the people’s welfare.
In what can be described as agenda setting for the government, people of the state, who had thronged the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin, venue of the second term inauguration of Governor Ahmed on Friday, May 29, 2015, to witness the occasion, said the APC government should make their welfare its topmost priority.
A civil servant, Mr Alabi Moses, said the state needs an improved security network, adding that the causes of frequent fracas in Ilorin metropolis should be unravelled towards finding lasting solution to it.
Another civil servant, Mr. Musiliu Adido, said, “we are hoping that the issue of power and water supply will be tackled by Governor Ahmed. This new government should, please, look into all market areas, because there is no parking space in any of the markets in Ilorin metropolis.
Also speaking, an unemployed graduate, Mustapha Ajagbe, said that the governor should make employment his cardinal project, saying that once jobs were provided, the issue of robbery, kidnapping and other forms of crime would be curbed in the state.
A retired worker in the state, Adeola Ayanda, said that rural roads should be reconstructed for the betterment of the people living in the rural communities, in particular.
“Also, hospitals in the rural communities should be provided with enough personnel to provide adequate medical attention for the under privileged, while the issue of incessant clashes between the Fulani cattle rearers and the natives in our communities should be resolved, for harmonious relationship and better productivity,” he said.
Also speaking, a secondary school teacher, Mrs Adekola Sunday, pleaded with the re-elected governor to provide textbooks and stationeries for students across the state.
In working towards these targets, Governor Ahmed said he would build a team of experienced men and women, who share his administration’s vision and are prepared to put in the hardwork necessary for the task ahead.
Among the tasks ahead meant to cater for welfare of the people, according to the governor, include provision of potable water, education, infrastructure, empowerment, health, among others.
“Many of you must wonder how we intend to fund these projects and programmes in view of the sustained reduction in allocation to states. The answer is simple. In the coming months, we will begin the process of decoupling our economy from a reliance on the unstable global oil market and the associated fluctuations in federal allocation.
“We will achieve this admittedly challenging task by significantly improving internally generated revenue. We will also block leakages and reduce the cost of governance to boost our capacity to achieve these objectives.
“We must all be prepared to tighten our belts, to make sacrifices and moderate our expectations of government,” he said, expressing optimism that all these would be achievable.
“We will build more schools, roads, hospitals, power projects and structures needed to get more of our youths working, businesses growing, food on more tables and greater prosperity for everyone who calls Kwara State home.
“This administration will upscale development and boost entrepreneurship to get a greater number of our youths working. Starting from today, we will begin the work of transforming our state to the North-Central’s Economic hub.
“We will create a new frontier of prosperity where everyone has the opportunity to better their lives subject only to their willingness to apply themselves.
“To begin with, education is the pivot of development and the most tested route to economic empowerment.
“In line with this, we intend to enhance functional education and expand access to formal education. We will overhaul an initial 120 secondary schools across the state by building 1,274 new classrooms and rehabilitating 2,000 existing classrooms.
“Additionally, we will open new campuses for the Kwara State University (KWASU) in Ilesha-Baruba, with the establishment of the College of Agricultural Science and another one in Osi, where we will locate the new College of Architectural and Environmental Studies.
“Furthermore, the International Vocational Center, Ajase-Ipo will be fully equipped and operational this year, in line with our determination to provide our youths with critical vocational skills for entrepreneurship.
“In keeping with our determination to bring potable water within the reach of all residents, we will expand the Malete and Okuta Waterworks and begin work on Oyun Water Works to meet the needs of an estimated 180, 470 people in the seven communities.
Also, the final phase of the Ilorin Metropolis Water Reticulation and Distribution Network will be completed to bring piped-water to every connected, house in Ilorin and environs.
“Recognising that health is a key requisite for human capital development, this administration will expand our health system, with the establishment of two primary health care centres, four comprehensive health centres, and remodeling of an extra five general hospitals across the three senatorial districts.
“As you are aware, urban electrification not only enriches the aesthetics of our cities, it also enhances the security of our neighbourhoods. We will therefore upscale the existing urban electrification programme with solar streetlights along major access roads in Offa, Omu-Aran, Lafiagi, Patigi, Kaiama, and Share-Tsaragi.
“We will restore existing public-powered streetlights across the Ilorin Metropolis. Still in the power sector, we will complement existing investment strategies with the establishment of a 100-megawatt Independent Power Plant in Kwara North.
“Apart from industrial clusters, the 100 megawatts will also power essential services such as hospitals, government offices, and educational institutions.
“Our planned infrastructure development will also cover sports sector where we will renovate and equip the Kwara State Indoor Sports Complex in line with global standards in sports infrastructure.”
The Ahmed-led government, which has explained that its low performance in the first term was due to dwindling monthly federal allocation accruable to the state, also said that the un-cooperative attitude of the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government to approve the bond sought at the stock market, prevented it from achieving some of the set development projects for the welfare of people of the state.
Now, with the inauguration of same All Progressives Congress (APC) government at both federal and the state, people of the state have expressed high hope for a better time, in a seeming departure from the government’s slogan of “it’s good here” being used since the past few years.
Governance is a serious business, Nigerians have come to know that. That is the more reasons people appreciate good intentions, ability and efforts put into development activities for welfare of the people by every responsive and responsible government.
Quite aware of the people’s confidence in him to deliver dividends of democracy, the governor also realised the tasks that confront his administration in the task ahead.
Speaking during his second term inauguration last Friday, Governor Ahmed talked about the current challenges in the country, saying “our national economy is on its knees. Global oil prices, the mainstay of our economy are dropping daily, limiting our ability to fulfill our obligations. These challenges are enormous, but we refuse to give in to despair,” adding that his administration’s priority remained the people’s welfare.
In what can be described as agenda setting for the government, people of the state, who had thronged the Metropolitan Square, Ilorin, venue of the second term inauguration of Governor Ahmed on Friday, May 29, 2015, to witness the occasion, said the APC government should make their welfare its topmost priority.
A civil servant, Mr Alabi Moses, said the state needs an improved security network, adding that the causes of frequent fracas in Ilorin metropolis should be unravelled towards finding lasting solution to it.
Another civil servant, Mr. Musiliu Adido, said, “we are hoping that the issue of power and water supply will be tackled by Governor Ahmed. This new government should, please, look into all market areas, because there is no parking space in any of the markets in Ilorin metropolis.
Also speaking, an unemployed graduate, Mustapha Ajagbe, said that the governor should make employment his cardinal project, saying that once jobs were provided, the issue of robbery, kidnapping and other forms of crime would be curbed in the state.
A retired worker in the state, Adeola Ayanda, said that rural roads should be reconstructed for the betterment of the people living in the rural communities, in particular.
“Also, hospitals in the rural communities should be provided with enough personnel to provide adequate medical attention for the under privileged, while the issue of incessant clashes between the Fulani cattle rearers and the natives in our communities should be resolved, for harmonious relationship and better productivity,” he said.
Also speaking, a secondary school teacher, Mrs Adekola Sunday, pleaded with the re-elected governor to provide textbooks and stationeries for students across the state.
In working towards these targets, Governor Ahmed said he would build a team of experienced men and women, who share his administration’s vision and are prepared to put in the hardwork necessary for the task ahead.
Among the tasks ahead meant to cater for welfare of the people, according to the governor, include provision of potable water, education, infrastructure, empowerment, health, among others.
“Many of you must wonder how we intend to fund these projects and programmes in view of the sustained reduction in allocation to states. The answer is simple. In the coming months, we will begin the process of decoupling our economy from a reliance on the unstable global oil market and the associated fluctuations in federal allocation.
“We will achieve this admittedly challenging task by significantly improving internally generated revenue. We will also block leakages and reduce the cost of governance to boost our capacity to achieve these objectives.
“We must all be prepared to tighten our belts, to make sacrifices and moderate our expectations of government,” he said, expressing optimism that all these would be achievable.
“We will build more schools, roads, hospitals, power projects and structures needed to get more of our youths working, businesses growing, food on more tables and greater prosperity for everyone who calls Kwara State home.
“This administration will upscale development and boost entrepreneurship to get a greater number of our youths working. Starting from today, we will begin the work of transforming our state to the North-Central’s Economic hub.
“We will create a new frontier of prosperity where everyone has the opportunity to better their lives subject only to their willingness to apply themselves.
“To begin with, education is the pivot of development and the most tested route to economic empowerment.
“In line with this, we intend to enhance functional education and expand access to formal education. We will overhaul an initial 120 secondary schools across the state by building 1,274 new classrooms and rehabilitating 2,000 existing classrooms.
“Additionally, we will open new campuses for the Kwara State University (KWASU) in Ilesha-Baruba, with the establishment of the College of Agricultural Science and another one in Osi, where we will locate the new College of Architectural and Environmental Studies.
“Furthermore, the International Vocational Center, Ajase-Ipo will be fully equipped and operational this year, in line with our determination to provide our youths with critical vocational skills for entrepreneurship.
“In keeping with our determination to bring potable water within the reach of all residents, we will expand the Malete and Okuta Waterworks and begin work on Oyun Water Works to meet the needs of an estimated 180, 470 people in the seven communities.
Also, the final phase of the Ilorin Metropolis Water Reticulation and Distribution Network will be completed to bring piped-water to every connected, house in Ilorin and environs.
“Recognising that health is a key requisite for human capital development, this administration will expand our health system, with the establishment of two primary health care centres, four comprehensive health centres, and remodeling of an extra five general hospitals across the three senatorial districts.
“As you are aware, urban electrification not only enriches the aesthetics of our cities, it also enhances the security of our neighbourhoods. We will therefore upscale the existing urban electrification programme with solar streetlights along major access roads in Offa, Omu-Aran, Lafiagi, Patigi, Kaiama, and Share-Tsaragi.
“We will restore existing public-powered streetlights across the Ilorin Metropolis. Still in the power sector, we will complement existing investment strategies with the establishment of a 100-megawatt Independent Power Plant in Kwara North.
“Apart from industrial clusters, the 100 megawatts will also power essential services such as hospitals, government offices, and educational institutions.
“Our planned infrastructure development will also cover sports sector where we will renovate and equip the Kwara State Indoor Sports Complex in line with global standards in sports infrastructure.”
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