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Post by Honorebu on Mar 21, 2016 20:55:17 GMT
dansoye1 , look at how much effort this Kwara state governor is putting to make sure things work well in Kwara. I remember someone here saying Saraki was the one who installed him. Hmnnn I guess that's the new style. A corrupt person hands over to a competent puppet Efforts as in plans on paper or what he has done so far? Well,you can't fault him on having a good policy but execution is another thing not when his godfather has him to his apron. Seems the prosecution of his master his actually bringing out the best in him though. Both paper and execution Well..just like you said, its probably because his boss is on trial
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Post by Honorebu on Mar 23, 2016 2:41:02 GMT
Gov. Ahmed charges colleagues on development of agriculture
The Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, has charged his colleagues on the need to develop the agricultural sector of the economy as a sustainable means of generating the necessary revenue and providing employment opportunities for the teeming youth population. The governor who gave the charge in a paper entitled: “Projects and Opportunities in the States: Kwara State Demand-Driven Agriculture Model.” This was at the Presidential Retreat of the National Economic Council in Abuja on Tuesday. Ahmed identified critical factors states must focus on to drive agricultural developments as supporting investments in logistics and irrigation in order to promote all season farming, allowing and protecting investments by the private sector and embracing data-driven decision making. The governor added that states should initiate policies that would increase knowledge and benefits of commercial agriculture by farmers while the roles and importance of middle men in the demand driven platforms should be critically assessed to avoid bottlenecks. He stressed that economic infrastructure such as electricity, telecommunications as well as social infrastructure like hospitals, housing and education should be developed to halt rural-urban migration by making life more meaningful for people in the villages to sustain their passion in agriculture. Ahmed also said a major component of the states’ agriculture development model was the establishment of Agriculture Mall where transactions on every input in agribusiness could be carried out with ease. According to him, these include seedlings and chemicals, financing and advisory platforms, technology, mechanization and extensive services, agriculture based laboratories as well as markets and marketing. According to the governor, the Off-Taker Demand Driven Scheme initiated by the Kwara State Government to promote agriculture as business has so far recorded 65 per cent completion circle of production. Dr Ahmed said the scheme, which concentrates on four crops, was financed with N214 million in 2014, which increased to N365.8 million by December 2015. The Eagle
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Post by Honorebu on Mar 23, 2016 2:42:23 GMT
Kwara to implement streetlights, independent power through PPP
The Kwara State Government is to deploy streetlights and independent power infrastructures within Ilorin metropolis and other major centres across the 16 local government areas of the State through a Public Private Partnership model. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, by the State Public-Private Partnership Bureau. KP3 said the decision followed an extensive infrastructure asset availability and sufficiency review, which revealed that streetlights and power infrastructures found across the State were not properly meeting the needs of the people. The Bureau said since these are critical infrastructure to the safety and security of life and property, human capital development services and diverse commercial activity, it was determined that project should be implemented through an open bid under a public-private partnership procurement style KP3 said that the State government will set the minimum expected service performance standards for the private partners, who are expected to invest their finances and expertise to ensure that the assets are always in acceptable working order. The statement added that the partner companies will be responsible for the design, finance and maintenance of both the streetlights and independent power infrastructure assets. Continuing, KP3 explained that the additional power generated through the independent power project will increase the overall volume of power available to various users in the State. The Bureau disclosed that a total of thirty-three companies had responded to the two separate request for qualification for both the streetlights and independent power infrastructure projects, and their submissions have been assessed by KP3. Consequently, request for proposals has been issued to the shortlisted companies who are expected to provide their technical and financial submissions for the respective projects. KP3 said the final partner companies for the projects are expected to be announced in the second or third week of May 2016. The Eagle
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Post by dansoye1 on Mar 25, 2016 18:04:28 GMT
Honorebu, I Will Transform Tourism Sites in Kwara to Int’l Standard – Femi AdebayoA popular Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo, aka Jelili was recently appointed as the Special Assistant on Arts, Culture and Tourism to the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed. In this exclusive interview with Kwara News, he talks of his plans to develop the tourism sector in the State. Excerpts:How did you receive the news of your new appointment?Well, when I was actually appointed, I saw it as an extremely challenging task. So, it was actually a mixed feeling, a feeling of high expectation from me, from people and readiness to serve, and at the same time, I see it as a leverage to a higher platform in my career. So, I say it is a mixed feeling, but to God be the glory, I appreciate it. What is your vision for tourism industry in Kwara?Well, I actually visualize seeing probably in the next two years, the tourism sites in Kwara be transformed into an international standard that will attract both foreign and domestic tourists and definitely, this will go a long way in developing both our culture and tourism ideas and perspective in the State. My vision also is to promote Kwara state culture in a way that will create employment opportunities for the people and as well generate revenue for the State government. What is your plan to develop tourist sites in Kwara?My intention is actually inviting partners to collaborate with the State government to develop these tourist sites. I see a major hindrance that so many people do not even know that Kwara is blessed with various tourist sites. People might want to know the tourist attractions we have here. We have Owu waterfalls, Esie museum which is the first in Nigeria. It is interesting for anyone to know that we also have the Ningurume fish pond where we have fishes that wear beads; we have the almighty and wonderful Mungo Park Cenotaph, Imoleboja rockshelter. We have quite a lot of tourism attractions in Kwara State and people do not know. So, I intend to do a great awareness of all these tourism sites and then, bring in partners because we know that tourism is a great way of generating money for the state and no doubt about it, the moment they are aware that we have all these beautiful things in Kwara, definitely we will have great investors to partner with us. Are you saying there are plans underway?Yes, plans of doing a great awareness of those sites are going on right now and the moment we are done with that, we will definitely have partners because these tourism sites are mouth watering, I tell you. Pati Regata, Shao Awon Mass wedding are some of the notable festivals in Kwara that are yet to attract international recognition. What do you think we are not doing right?Yeah, what we are not actually doing right is creating awareness of such festivals. We also have what we call the Ilorin Durban, which can be likened to the Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode. The Durban is held a day after the beautiful Ileya festival where people come and ride well dressed horses. It is a great festival as well. What I think we need to do that I think we are not doing right presently is letting people know and be aware that these festivals are in existence. The moment we tell people that these festivals are not in any other place or state, they will come to partner and do these festivals and in that way, we will get international recognition because I haven’t heard it anywhere that the Awon mass wedding is done in any other part of the country because of its uniqueness and we will definitely get international recognition. Some people believe your appointment might cause a distraction for you in the movie industry. Do you share that sentiment?Oh! It will definitely cause a huge distraction for me in the movie industry, but the movie industry is leaving and automatically I’m always welcome. I’m not out of the movie industry totally. I have got a call to serve my people which will take about 75% of my time and I will definitely do, but no doubt about it, there will be a distraction. So, I share their sentiment but mind you I might be leaving acting for now but not the industry totally. What was the last movie you featured in?The last movie I featured in and directed was Kodi Ologbon Aye; it is a comedy flick (laughs) because after I did the blockbuster “Jelili”, there have been calls from my fans to actually do another comedy flick and that was why I came up with that. There is an ongoing campaign by the Senate to encourage use of made in Nigeria products. In what ways do you hope to support this campaign?Well, I must tell you, that falls under my purview because looking at Kwara, one of our culture is the making of Aso-oke and I intend to support such campaign by encouraging and creating awareness of all these our local fabrics used to produce those things. So, that way I will definitely support the campaign to promote our locally made products particularly here in Kwara. Your final words to KwaransI want to say to all Kwarans that this is the time to showcase our culture and tradition to the world. We should also support the programmes and policies of the government in developing our dear State. By the grace of God, we shall get there. www.kwaranews.com/i-will-transform-tourism-sites-in-kwara-to-intl-standard-femi-adebayo/
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Post by dansoye1 on Mar 25, 2016 18:08:17 GMT
Honorebu, AgbongboAkala, olukumi, omohayek, Omoluabi, Ogbeni OgunnaikeGov Ahmed Charges Governors on AgricultureKWARA State governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has charged his colleagues on a need to develop the agricultural sector of the economy as a sustainable means of generating the necessary revenue and providing employment opportunities for the teeming population of youths. Ahmed, who gave the charge in a paper entitled: “Projects and Opportunities in the States: Kwara State Demand-Driven Agriculture Model”, at a Presidential Retreat of the National Economic Council (NEC), in Abuja, on Tuesday, identified critical factors States must focus on to drive agricultural developments as supporting investments in logistics and irrigation, in order to promote all season farming, allowing and protecting investments by the private sector and embracing data-driven decision-making. The governor added that states should initiate policies that would increase knowledge and benefits of commercial agriculture by farmers, while the roles and importance of middle men in the demand- driven platforms should be critically assessed to avoid bottlenecks. He stressed that economic infrastructure such as electricity, telecommunications, as well as social infrastructure, such as hospitals, housing and education, should be developed to halt rural-urban migration by making life more meaningful for people in the villages to sustain agriculture. www.kwaranews.com/gov-ahmed-charges-governors-on-agriculture/
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Post by dansoye1 on Apr 1, 2016 19:00:26 GMT
Youth Unemployment: Kwara Lobbies CBN For 2000 Job InitiativesTHE Kwara State government has begun lobbying the Central Bank of Nigeria to secure 2000 slots from the Youth Innovative Entrepreneurship Development programme in the bid to cushion the effect of skyrocketed unemployment. The programme was aimed at making loan facility available for serving and former youth corps members to arrest the ugly trend of growing labour market. Speaking with newsmen at an interactive session of a forum organised by the state government to support the apex bank in Ilorin on Wednesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor, Alhaji Saka Babatunde, said the programme was conceived to encourage the army of youths with entrepreneurship initiative to jump start their businesses. The session, which was midwife by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Mahmud Babatunde Ajeigbe, was attended by serving and ex-corps members in the state. The governor’s aide said the programme had addressed the lacuna usually associated with obtaining loan to commence entrepreneurial jobs. Babatunde told newsmen that owing to the insatiable quest of the state government to tackle unemployment and curb restiveness among the youths, a support programme would be created to make the facility hitch-free. He admonished the youths to take advantage of the programme to enroll themselves to enable them benefit from the facility. “Essentially, Central Bank of Nigeria officially launched the programme in partnership with both Heritage Bank and NYSC. It is a targeted programme at a certain level of youth, precisely, those serving corps members and those that have completed their service year, but not more than five years ago. “The whole concept is geared towards assisting the young entrepreneurs to starting something on their own. Most of the time, most of the young entrepreneurs are always faced with the challenge of financial backup, to start their business. But this programme has solved that problem. It is actually a loan, but it is a single digit loan meant for those youths within the age of 18 and 35 years. “As for Kwara State government, we saw an area that we felt we can easily key in to address the issue of youth unemployment and equally address the issue of youth restiveness. That is why we decided to create support plan to ensure this programme is able to be enjoyed by majority of our youths. “We want to create a situation where majority of our youths have what it takes to be able to start their businesses and be able to run it and sustain it. That is why the state governor has approved the creation of a business help desk in my office. And what the help desk has done is to create a support link. The essence of the support link is to ensure that youths are guided on how they can easily go about developing a strong business plan to ensure they are part of the winners of the programme. “For the first pilot scheme, Central Bank is targeting 10,000 youths nationwide. But going forward, I was equally made to understand 200,000 youths will be benefiting from this programme every year during the life of this administration “From the 10,000 the CBN has declared, we as a state, want to see the possibility of ensuring we are able to get 2000. Because, we are aware no state in the country is doing what we have done. It is a support programme to support the CBN initiative”, SSA Youth Empowerment said. At the interactive session, the proprietor of Mount Olive Nigeria Limited, Pharmacist Ajibola enjoined the youths to be determined while venturing into entrepreneurship, saying the only antidote to the growing joblessness was to be self-employed. The Special Adviser on Agriculture and Rural Water Support Services, Mr Anu Ibiwoye, also urged the youths at the forum to focus on agriculture as the sector was no longer an option for school dropout. He added that Nigeria was blessed with arable land and advised the youths to be acquainted with the area of value chain they intended to venture into. www.kwaranews.com/youth-unemployment-kwara-lobbies-cbn-for-2000-job-initiatives/
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Post by Honorebu on Apr 2, 2016 13:35:16 GMT
dansoye1 , this Adebayo guy has been mouthing off since he got this job lol I don't really see anything he can bring to the table but I'll give him the benefit of a doubt
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Post by Honorebu on Apr 2, 2016 13:36:50 GMT
Ghost workers: Kwara begins verification of schools
The Kwara State Government has commenced the verification of schools across the state in its ongoing authentication of workers and pensioners across the state. The exercise follows the completion of the first phase, which involved the use of Bank Verification Numbers to verify workers and pensioners. According to a statement issued in Ilorin on Tuesday by the Kwara State Committee on Personnel Database Development and signed by its alternate Chairman, Alhaji Sola Isiaka Gold, the verification of schools’ location across the State started on Wednesday and will end on Friday. The timetable also shows that the physical verification exercise for workers and pensioners in Ilorin West Local Government Area will hold between April 4 and 6; Ilorin South, April 6-8; Ilorin East, April 11-13; Ifelodun, April 14-15; and Asa, April 18-19. For workers and pensioners in Edu, Isin and Oyun local government areas, the verification exercise will take place on April 20, 21 and 22 respectively. Furthermore, workers and pensioners in Patigi will appear for the screening on April 25; Irepodun, April 26; Oke Ero, April 27; Ekiti, April 28; Moro, April 29. Workers and pensioners in Baruten, Kaiama and Offa will have theirs on May 2, 3 and 4 respectively. All state pensioners are to appear for the verification exercise between May 5 and 13, while all staff that missed their turn will have a chance to undergo the screening exercise on May 16. Also, for all staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the verification exercise is scheduled to hold between May 17 and 20. The committee explained that the verification exercise is to give the government an accurate picture of the state and Local Government Councils’ payroll and ensure that only those properly employed receive salaries and pensions as and when due. TheEagle
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Post by Honorebu on Apr 2, 2016 13:50:34 GMT
China keen to help Kwara develop textile park
The Chinese government has expressed willingness to partner with the Kwara state government of Nigeria to develop a textile industrial park in the state, according to Nigerian media reports. Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Gu XiaoJie announced this recently in Abuja when the Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, led a state delegation with a Chinese company, Ming Bo Jin Sheng Star Company limited. “Textile is a traditional industry to China. It is a common knowledge that Chinese textile products compete favourably with those of Germany and Italy. Our companies are also conscious of cooperate social responsibility in African countries,” said Ahmed. Adding further he argued, “Kwara state is a gateway to the north and the south, the state is not new in midwifing realistic public private partnership as exemplified by the Shonga farms initiative, a new hotbed of commercial agriculture in Nigeria.” “When established, the park is expected to accommodate more than 40 textile industries with the state providing necessary enabling environment to jump start the park,” he added. The ambassador Gu XiaoJie added that China's interest in partnering with Nigeria is due to the resemblance the two countries share in terms of huge human and material resources. (NA) Source
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Post by dansoye1 on Apr 2, 2016 18:11:31 GMT
dansoye1 , this Adebayo guy has been mouthing off since he got this job lol I don't really see anything he can bring to the table but I'll give him the benefit of a doubt What do you expect? He's just a special assistant.
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Post by dansoye1 on Apr 2, 2016 18:51:05 GMT
Gov. Ahmed Charges Corporate Bodies, Individuals to Complement Govt EffortsGOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has called on corporate bodies and individuals to complement government at all levels in its efforts to spread democratic dividends across every nook and corners of the country. The governor who made the call during the weekend, while receiving District 404B Nigeria of the Lions Clubs international who paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Ilorin, said government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of meeting the publics’ yearning and aspirations. Represented by the Senior Special Assistant, Media, Dr Muhideen Akorede, the governor praised the association for its tireless efforts at making life more meaningful to Nigerians particularly Kwarans through its people-oriented programmes. According to him,”What you are doing is in tandem with government’s programmes and as a government, we believe we cannot do it alone. Therefore, we are ready to partner with any organisation in making life meaningful to our people”. He also spoke of the government’s resolution to expand its Community Health Insurance Scheme to enable about 1million people got access to adequate healthcare services by the end of this year with just N500 only annually. While commending the organisation for its several programmes aimed at better the lots of the public, the governor stressed the need for others to emulate the Club’s community-based services. The District Governor of the Club, Lion(Dr) Funke Adebajo had earlier in her remarks said they were in the Government House for a courtesy call and also praised the governor for his developmental projects. She also told the governor about the policies and programmes of the Club, saying that the Club was highly formal organisation with a firm structured. Lion Adebajo further explained that the club render social services to the members of the public in the area of basic needs, saying that the club was poised to complement government’s efforts. The Region Chairman, Alhaji Fatai Adebiyi who shade more light on why they were in the Government House, said they were at the seat of power to appreciate governor for his good work as its affect lives of the people. He explained further that the Club’s area of focus include; provision of potable, healthcare services, school support programmes among others. The highlight of the occasion include the symbolic induction of the Senior Special Assistant, Media to the governor, Dr Muhideen Akorede as member of the Club. www.kwaranews.com/gov-ahmed-charges-corporate-bodies-individuals-to-complement-govt-efforts/
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Post by Honorebu on Apr 8, 2016 23:34:17 GMT
ARMTI launches village initiative to boost rural food production
The Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, Kwara State, has launched its Village Alive Development Initiative (VADI) to promote agriculture investments that have far-reaching impact on individuals and communities. At the launch at Omomere Oja in Ilorin South Local Government, and Amayo in Ifelodun Local Government Areas, in Kwara State, ARMTI’s Acting Executive Director Mr Johnson Njoku said the initiative was part of efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at increasing the capacities of rural dwellers to explore available agric resources and technologies to satisfy the demands of the growing population for food and other agricultural commodities. To this end, he said priority must be given to maintaining and improving the capacity of agricultural lands to support an expanding population. The main tools of VADI, he stated, are income diversification and improved management of inputs. Its success, he added, would depend largely on the support and participation of rural people. Njoku said that under the VADI programme, loans given to each community would be repaid to their respective co-operatives. He expressed happiness that the intervention of the agency in turning around the fortunes of the local farmers had been yielding fruitful results. The Kwara State governor represented by his special assistant on agriculture, Mr Anu Ibiwoye, lauded the effort of the Federal Government through ARMTI, adding that the programme is in line with the effort of the state government to encourage local farmers in the state. A farmer, Idowu Magaji, was full of appreciation and described the training and loan provision as an impetus that would bring out the best in them and also make them self-reliant. He expressed hope that the initiative will improve farm production and farming systems through diversification of farm employment and infrastructure development. At the launch of the VADI in Kwara State, the people of Omomere Oja in Ilorin South Local Government and Amayo in Ifelodun Local Government Area were full of appreciation. Officials of ARMTI) handling the programme was welcomed with songs and dances. The scheme involves giving out N1 million loan to each rural community to empower farmers to grow different crops and also teach them how to invest their profit judiciously. Thenation
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Post by dansoye1 on Apr 13, 2016 18:49:55 GMT
Kwara Blames Power Outage, Saboteurs For Water ShortageThe Kwara State Government yesterday blamed the low level of water supply to Ilorin metropolis on epileptic power supply. The state commissioner for Water Resources, Barr Rasaq Akorede said the state would require, at least, 18 hours of uninterrupted power supply to its water works as against the current fours supply to ensure adequate water supply in Ilorin, the state capital. He also blamed vandalisation of its booster stations by people described as “saboteurs’’ as one of the major challenges responsible for the inadequate water supply in the state. Akorede stated this during a ministerial press briefing at the state’s ministry of Information and Communications. He said that the state government had so far committed over N5 billion out of N6.5 billion proposed for water reticulation projects in the state but blamed ,”power challenge and acts of sabotage” for the current water challenge facing residents. Akorede said the Asa dam water works which has capacity to produce at least 25.5 million of gallons of water daily at full capacity is currently producing at less than 15 per cent. He said the state has a total of 94 water works, most of which are not functioning at full capacity due to erratic poor power supply in the state. leadership.ng/news/517691/kwara-blames-power-outage-saboteurs-water-shortage
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Post by dansoye1 on Apr 13, 2016 18:53:11 GMT
FG Should Hands Off Hajj Operation says NSCIAThe Secretary General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Professor Ish'aq Olanrewaju Oloyede, yesterday in Ilorin asked the Federal Government to wash its hands off in the operation of muslim pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He said the involvement of the government should not exceed consular services coupled with desirable legal support that would put an end to hitches recorded in the exercise. Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, Oloyede said hajj operation should be left to religious bodies to correct offensive impression in some sections of the society that the exercise was benefiting Islam unduly. He added that the religious organisations should be empowered and armed with requisite legal framework to carry out the operation on their own. The ex vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin explained that Nigeria ought to be deriving certain benefits from the operation in terms of promoting trade and export services like its contemporaries across the globe, but seems looking the other way. Alluding to last year's tragic incidence in Saudi Arabia where scores of pilgrims lost their lives and others wounded, Oloyede noted that there was a need to put in place a measure to avert the recurrence. "We believe that the involvement of government beyond consular services, is unnecessary. What government should just do, is to provide the state support, leave hajj matters to religious bodies to organise on their own and give the proper legal framework. "Islam is not faring better by the involvement of government in hajj. Rather the involvement of hajj is a liability to Islam. "But we have seen countries all over the world, that have used the medium of hajj to develop Islam within their jurisdictions. What is happening is that everybody thinks that hajj is a free for all. Indeed, the nation is not benefiting as it ought to be from hajj. "Many countries seize opportunity of the hajj to promote trade and development of their countries by exporting certain things and even importing certain things or even signing agreement with other bodies for the development of their countries. That is not the case with Nigeria. It appears that everybody thinks hajj is about courting government patronage and just doing whatever you like. "People have wrong impression that government spends money on hajj, sending people on pilgrimage. If government sends people on hajj, government knows the reason, not definitely for the development of Islam, may be as a bribe for doing one thing or the other. You know the quality of Muslim who takes bribe. He is not serving the cause of Islam. "The position of NSCIA is clear. Government should not be involved in the running of pilgrimage", Oloyede said. www.ilorin.info/fullnews.php?id=17378#sthash.bUo7canc.dpuf
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Post by Honorebu on Apr 14, 2016 14:23:23 GMT
Nigeria: Kwara Spent N5 Billion On Water Reticulation - Govt
Ilorin — In a reaction to the scarcity of water in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, the state government says it has spent N5 billion out of the N6.5 billion proposed for water reticulation projects in the state. The state commissioner for Water Resources, Barr. Rasaq Akorede who stated this during a ministerial press briefing at the state ministry of Information and Communications, blamed power challenge and acts of sabotage for the current water challenge facing residents. Akorede said the Asa Dam Water Works which has capacity to produce at least 25.5 million of gallons of water daily is currently producing less than 15 per cent, that the state has 94 water works, most of which are not functioning at full capacity due to erratic power supply. In another development, the state commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Aro Yahaya said the state government has expended over N500 million as part of its intervention on Kishi-Kaiama road which is a federal road. He also announced that the state government would flag off the dualization of Kulende- University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) road latest by May this year. Allafrica
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