ArewaReport
Education, human dev our priority –Gov, Ahmed
From ATTAHIRU AHMED, Gusau
Thursday, January 12, 2012

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has said that education and human capital development will continue to enjoy his administration’s priority attention. The focus, he disclosed, will be to improve the infrastructural facilities of educational institutions at all levels.

Technical schools
Three technical schools, one per senatorial district in the first phase, are to be built. A sum of N57,5 milloin , has been earmarked for this purpose. Similarly, a comprehensive rehabilitation of six schools at two per senatorial district, will be undertaken at N150million per school. An additional 200 classrooms, costing N100million will be provvided.

Science and vocational schools
Six secondary schools will be converted to science schools year at a total cost of N100million. Schools in the state will teach three trades for students to acquire the necessary skills for self-employment on graduation. Another N100million Naira has been made available for this purpose. Construction work will commence at the International Vocational Centre, Ajasse-Ipo, at a cost of N1billion. The centre will provide internationally-recognised and market relevant vocational training for youths.
A sum of N145million has been earmarked for the State Bursary and Scholarship programs to assist needy families and students.

Tertiary institutions
A total sum of N2.6billion is set aside for the Kwara State University to meet its accreditation requirements and infrastructural developments. For Kwara State Polytechnic and Colleges of Education, their physical structural developments will cost N50.2million and N54million respectively in the 2012 financial year.

Health
Ahmed promised affordable, efficient and effective health care services to Kwarans and also ensure prompt response to all disease burdens. A sum of N100million is earmarked to eradicate this health challenge. The on-going rehabilitation of three tertiary health facilities in the state will gulp N150million. Specialist hospitals in Sobi, Jebba and Oke-Ode will be given facelift, while the rehabilitation of general hospitals will cost N1.3billion. Also, 20 comprehensive health centres will be constructed with the sum of N500 million. Another allocation of N25 million is earmarked for the purchase of hospital beds and beddings for the centres.

College of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilorin, and College of Health Technology, Offa, have been allocated N50million and N30million respectively for the provision of infrastructure. A sum N100million has also been made for the provision of infrastructure and equipment at the newly established School of Nursing, Oke-Ode.

Information & Communication
The governor said: “We plan to pay special attention to the development of programs that will enhance information through the use of electronic and print media. We are also committed to providing efficient broadcasting services state-wide to inform, educate and entertain the general public. Major projects to be implemented include the purchase of A3 colour separation machine and 250 KVA generator for the Government Press, purchase of audio-visual equipment as well as the establishment of State Archives for the Information Department. All these will cost N287million.”

Water supply
The objective is to attain 500 meters radius water accessibility. Ahmed said the on-going Ilorin pipe network project will be completed N1billion. Apart from the reticulation project, 36 water schemes would be rehabilitated and upgraded to full capacity. Sum of N400.5million has been earmarked for these purposes. A sum of N200million voted for the procurement of water treatment chemicals. Under the Rural Water Scheme, N225million would be expended on the procurement of geophysical survey instruments, bulk purchase of borehole materials, drilling of hand-pumps and motorized boreholes and maintenance of rigs. The Rural Water Supply Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), will be strengthened and repositioned to enable it function efficiently.

Land and housing
In 2012, the focus will be on the development of the Greater Ilorin Master plan. The Housing Corporation will also be strengthened through capital grant for efficient and effective performance. Government will embark on neighbourhood upgrading towards slum reduction and control of haphazard development. The street naming component of this program will assist law enforcement agents in reducing crime.

Environment and forestry
Two hectares of land per LGA through the Bureau of Lands will be acquired for conservation and development. Government will liaise with the private sector to raise two million seedlings for planting in the state’s forest reserves. The governor added: “The state government shall sustain the drive towards ensuring that the savannah regeneration programs and communal woodlots projects are embarked upon.

At least, three major roundabouts in the state capital are to be rehabilitated. Waste management shall be further enhanced through private participation. The Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) will be equipped to enhance efficiency and repositioning as a revenue generating agency. Sum N242.5million, is earmarked for the sector.

General administration
“The major focus of government in this sector is the provision of adequate infrastructural facilities, equipment and training of personnel to cope with challenges of present day development. A sum of N6.6billion has been earmarked for projects in this sector. A Bureau of Statistics is to be established for enhanced data gathering, analysis and management.”

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