NEWS
Gov Abdulrazaq flags off 209.77km road construction amid renewed infrastructural devt drive
•We’re proud of your strides: Kwara NASS members•Roads cover Kwara’s three senatorial districtsKwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday flagged-off the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of rural roads totaling 209.77km, doubling down on his administration’s drive to connect the state’s agrarian hinterlands to the markets in the urban areas and strengthen food security.The projects are being prosecuted under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), an initiative for which the administration has committed at least N4bn counterpart funds in the last five years. RAAMP is jointly funded by the World Bank and French Development Agency, with the state government providing counterpart funds.Governor AbdulRazaq said the investments have yielded the 209.77km costed at N19,404,220,675.55 for the benefits of the people. The road projects include Alapa-Hoko (0.7km); Madi-Peke (17.5km); Mandala-Yowere-Agbonna (12.485 km); Gerewu-Eiyekorin- Okoolowo Expressway (3.07km); Panada-Oloro ((5.43km); Inaja-Alaro-Inaja Maliki (6.22km); Ijagbo-Aperun-Adeleke- Igbawere (6.85km); Kpandarako-Ginda- Kusomunu- Kachitako- Tsakpata Lealea- Gulufu Bacita (22.89km); and Lafiagi- Effagi – Putata road (9.53km).Others are Oko Olowo- SokotoTafatafa -Elere-Owode Oja- Baba Kudu- Akopari- Otte Oja road (23.23km); Odo Ode- Soliu-Arogun-Ikotun-Oke Amin-Rondo- Offa road (22.08km); Babanla-Budo Idowu-Alasoro-Owode- Shagbe (10.53km); Kpada-Gakpan (9.58km); and Yakiru-Tabiru-Kenu rural road (59.69km).“This flag-off for the construction, rehabilitation, and upgrade of rural roads spanning 209.77km and connecting 16 local government areas is the fruit of huge investment, strategic planning, our commitment to rural urban development and food security, and our drive for rapid socioeconomic growth and sustainable job opportunities,” the Governor said in Ilorin at the ceremony which attracted national and state parliamentarians, members of judiciary, cabinet members, and royalties.Attendees included Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Yakubu Danladi Saliu; Senators Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central); Lola Ashiru (South); and Sadiq Umar (North); House of Representatives member Mukhtar Shagaya; Grand Kadi Kwara State Shari’ah Court of Appeal Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen; cabinet members; local government chairpersons; State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi and other leaders of the party; National Coordinator for RAAMP Engr Aminu Muhammed represented by Hajia Khadijat Isiaq; State Coordinator for RAMMP Engr Isaac Kolo Kusomunu; and President Ilorin Emirate Descendants’ Progressive Union IEDPU Alhaji Abdulmumeen Abdulmalik; among others.Royalties at the event were the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman State Traditional Council Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, represented by Etsu Patigi Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bolugi; Etsu Tsaragi Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Ndakpoto; Emir of Lafiagi Alhaji Muhammed Kawu; Olupako of Share Oba Olawale Haruna; among others.AbdulRazaq said the RAAMP project aligns with the government’s commitment to revolutionize rural infrastructure for agricultural development in the state. The Governor commended the World Bank and French Development Agency (AFD) for providing the fund and the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for proper coordination of RAAMP activities in Nigeria.AbdulRazaq announced that the government will soon award contracts for the construction of three Agro-logistics Centres, one in each senatorial district (Ajase-Ipo, Alapa and Kaiama) and more rural roads that will spread to other LGAs.“On assumption of office in 2019, our administration immediately paid the first tranche of the counterpart fund. Between 2019 and now, our government has paid the sum of Four Billion, Twenty-Six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-One Thousand Naira (N4,026,891,000) as a counterpart fund. No amount was paid before 2019,” he said. He urged the contractors and consultants to deliver these projects within stipulated time and design specifications, and urged the host communities to support the initiative. “For these roads to stand the test of time through quality maintenance, I have signed the Rural Access Road Agency (RARA) and State Road Fund (SRF) bills into law. I have also approved the constitution of the Boards of the Agency,” he added. Senator Ashiru, who spoke on behalf of other National Assembly members from the state, said many states of the federation, except Kwara, have long been benefiting from RAAMP intervention because the previous administrations in the state failed to fulfill the required obligations.He praised Governor AbdulRazaq for the payment of counterpart funds which is an important requirement for accessing the grant, calling him a lover of the masses. Danladi described the project as another laudable initiative of the administration that will go a long way to ease access to farm produce and contribute to socio-economic development of the state.Abdulquawiy Olododo, works Commissioner, commended the Governor and other key stakeholders for their contributions and tireless efforts that made the day a reality, noting that the project will enhance connectivity, facilitate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for citizens.“For this year 2024, not less than 170 road projects have been embarked upon across Kwara State with at least 65% of them already completed while others are progressing at an appreciable pace,” Olododo added. The State Coordinator of RAAMP, Engr Isaac Kolo, said the government’s investments in rural road infrastructure and agro-logistics facilities showed that the Governor is visionary, goal-oriented and passionate about the people’s well-being.
NEWS
Governor AbdulRazaq inspects ongoing Kwara’s Indoor Sports Hall project
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq visited the Kwara Stadium Complex to evaluate the progress of the ongoing revival of the indoor sports hall.The rehabilitation and upgrade of the indoor sports complex began a few months ago after the Governor’s administration approved the project. The facility, which was last upgraded in 1991, is undergoing significant renovations awarded to Messr Disscom Ltd.Once completed, the indoor sports hall will join a number of other previously dilapidated sports facilities that Governor Abdulrazaq’s administration has successfully rehabilitated in the past five years. Additionally, the administration has completed the construction of a modern table tennis hall and a squash court complex. Notably, the squash court complex is highly regarded in Nigeria and West Africa for hosting the highest number of modern squash courts in one location.
NEWS
Ekiti Governor Honours Primate Ayodele’s Late Father, Names Street After Him
The governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji has honoured the Primate Elijah Ayodele’s late father by naming a street after him in Ikere-Ekiti.The street which used to be ‘Area One’ where the prophet’s church in Ekiti is located has now been registered as Ayomate Avenue.According to reports, the renaming took the combined efforts of the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Alagbado, his chiefs, the local government chairmen, and ultimately, the governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji.According to the governor, the street was named in recognition of the good works done by the late father of Primate Ayodele and the continuation of the good works by the prophet. He also recognized the efforts of the prophet to drive economic growth in the community.Primate Ayodele embraced the development while expressing appreciation to the governor for honouring God in such a manner. The prophet applauded the governor for his efforts towards bringing development to Ikere-Ekiti and promised that the presence of his church will in turn lead to more economic development in the local government.Furthermore, Primate Ayodele promised that he would begin by sinking boreholes across the local government to support the government in solving the water crisis.‘’I appreciate the governor for the magnanimous development of naming this vicinity after our church, it’s indeed marvellous in God’s sight. This is a testament to his love for God and the people of Ekiti state.”“I also want to appreciate him for the development he started in Ikere-Ekiti local government, the people are happy with him and above all, God is happy with him for all he is doing”“I want to promise His Excellency that our presence here will bring a new dawn to this vicinity, we will also assist the government. We will be sinking boreholes across the local government to solve the water crisis.’’History has it that Primate Ayodele’s father was one of the most respected individuals in Ikere-Ekiti who brought good tidings to the community and provided succour for individuals who needed help.Consequently, Primate Ayodele has been engaging in humanitarian activities on a large scale across the country. Since he opened a branch in Ikere-Ekiti, Primate Ayodele has organized charitable programmes thrice which involved selling a bag of rice for N20,000, scholarships for youths, empowerment for widows, to mention but a few.
NEWS
BREAKING: Gov Abdulrazaq approves bonus for Kwara workers to ease economic burden
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has approved a financial bonus that is equivalent to the monthly PAYE obligation for every civil servant in the state, including local government workers.
The emergency support measure will last for at least three months, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Finance Dr. Hauwa Nuru.
“This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented mininum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as workers adjust to the PAYE that was just correctly implemented in line with the Personal Income Tax Act,” she said.
“The payment of the bonus is effective from October and will run till December 2024. This is a significant step by His Excellency to support workers.”
The statement added that workers who have not registered with the Kwara State Residents’ Registration Agency (KWSRRA) should do so immediately because anyone without it will not get the bonus for November and December.
The statement said labour unions have also agreed to a refund of the special levy deducted from workers’ salary and suspension of deductions of same until further notice.
“Governor AbdulRazaq’s directive to deliver this relief speaks volumes about his humanity and his commitment to the welfare of Kwara workforce,” Dr. Nuru stated.
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