From: LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, says the State Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K) has strengthened the capacity of the government to meet its obligations despite the current economic challenges.
The Governor said this, on Wednesday, while launching the construction of the School of Environmental Sciences of the Kwara State University at Osi in Ekiti Local Government Area of the State.
He noted that with the development fund, his administration has made good its promise to initiate and complete new and ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Geri Alimi Diamond Underpass and a new campus for the Kwara State University at Ilesha-Baruba.
The governor said that the three-campus model for Kwara State University (KWASU) as enshrined in its blueprint underlines the government’s determination to expand access to quality higher education while providing cutting edge skills and research for industry.
He also noted that in keeping with current local realities and global trends, the three campuses of KWASU are designed to run on a sustainable platform. Alhaji Ahmed further noted that the Ekiti campus will groom scientists and thinkers that will proffer practical solutions to the various problems that plague the country.
According to him, the sitting of the project will accelerate the socio-economic development of Ekiti Local Government and the State in general.
Also, Governor Ahmed said that four hundred mass housing units will be constructed in Osi by the African Nations Development Programme (ANDP) under its partnership with the state government.
He said this would not only boost the local economy and create jobs in the formal and informal sector, but will also attract other investments to the area thereby creating more opportunities for Kwarans.
Earlier in her address, the state’s Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Amina Ahmed, disclosed that the project was awarded at a contract sum of N1.583b and is expected to be completed in 52 weeks.
She commended Governor Ahmed for his efforts and vision to make KWASU a leading institution in research and academics.