As part of efforts to ensure effective security of lives and properties in Kwara State, the State Government says it will spend N6.7billion on street light projects that will cover 78km roads in the State capital, Ilorin metropolis and expend N2.8 billion on the construction of Ilesha-Baruba and Osi campuses of Kwara State University (KWASU).
These were resolutions of the State Government at the Executive Council Meeting held recently where remaining government expenditure for 2016 was discussed as part of steps taken to shore up 2016 Budget Performance Index, paving way for the 2017 Appropriation Bill.
Briefing news men after Government Resolutions, Idris Abubakar, Commissioner for Energy, maintained that the project which is tagged: “Light Up Kwara” will be executed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) and will cover the period of 10 years external management before being handed over to the State Government through the Ministry of Energy.
He submitted that all dual carriage roads had been enlisted to be provided with functioning street lights, adding that the total cost estimates will take care of the execution and periodic maintenance of the facilities which are expected to provide light for road users and increase aesthetics around the metropolis, especially at night.
The Commissioner further said that while the First Phase of the project is expected to cover the Ilorin metropolis, the Second Phase will cover Offa, Omu-Aran, Moro and Edu Local Government Areas of the State after workability and efficiency were ascertained.
On education, Musa Yeketi, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, noted that the State Government had uncovered 971 illegal teachers out of the total number of 1,420 personnel engaged through the State Teaching Service Commission.
Yeketi, who revealed that five Principal Officers had been fingered in the illegal deal, stressed that two out of them had retired from active service while the remaining three officers are currently under interrogation.
While speaking on the fate of the affected workers, Yeketi further said that they will be regularized and co-opted into the service of the state government subject to verification and consideration, adding: “The council has taken decision to check the record and regularise the appointment of those illegally employed as government will not sack anybody.”
Also speaking during the briefing, Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Ajeigbe, said that council has approved the construction of two campuses of the Kwara State University (KWASU) at Ilesha Baruba and Osi.
The commissioner said a contract sum of N2.8billion was approved for the construction of the two campuses which has been awarded on a private public partnership arrangement bases to be repaid on agreed terms through Infrastructure funding window.
He also disclosed that the State Executive Council approved participation in the N1billion Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) of the Federal Government project through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
