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Tag: Kwara Government

  • FG approves N27bn for construction of Kishi-Kaima Road

    FG approves N27bn for construction of Kishi-Kaima Road

    The Kwara Government on Monday said the Federal Government has approved N27 billion for the construction of Kishi-Kiama Road in the state.

    In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, the financial approval was why the state government stopped work on the road.

    “The Federal Ministry of Works has informed us that we should stop work on that road because they have got new approval from the Federal Government and the contract for the road has been reissued at N27bn.

    “The Kishi-Kaiama road is very important for the whole of the country because of the volume of trade in farm produce,” he said.

    “The contract was first awarded over 10 years ago and it is a federal road. However, nothing was happening.

    “When we came, we tried to continue the project and the Federal Ministry of Works has now asked us to terminate the contract and vacate the road.

    “The ministry said the former administration in the state gave the contract to a company that did not meet the  requirements.

    “We removed them and gave it to the company that came second in the bid and we mobilised the company with as much as N600m.

    “Our latest communication with them (FG) was that they want to re-award the contract and that our own contractor should vacate the site.

    “That is why work has stopped on Kishi-Kaiama Road,” Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq was quoted as saying.

    According to the statement, the governor promised that work will begin on Bode-Saadu-Kaiama-Kosubosu Road next year, saying the project would be financed through a portion of BUA Group tax.

    “We are also trying to construct Bode-Saadu-Kaiama-Kosubosu Road using the road tax infrastructure scheme with BUA Group.

    “Hopefully, by the first quarter of 2023 work should begin on that road.

    “The plan is that BUA Group will use a portion of its tax to the Federal Government to fund the road.

    “We have been on that discussion with BUA to open up Bode-Saadu-Kaiama-Kosubosu Road.

    “Most of our major roads are federal roads and they are in deplorable conditions,” Abdulrazaq said.

  • FG disburses N2.9b to Kwara State govt as federal allocation for February

    FG disburses N2.9b to Kwara State govt as federal allocation for February

     

    Kwara State Government has received N2.9 billion as its federal allocation for February, with N182,075,917.36k higher when compared with last month’s allocation.

     

    According to the Kwara State Government, the allocation comprises Statutory Revenue Allocation SRA (gross) of N1.7 billion deductions (loans) of N1.3 billion eight million Naira; SRA (net) of N699,457,683.87; Value Added Tax (VAT) of N1,665,520,784.67; Excess Bank charges of N33,391,774.95k and Non-oil Revenue of N488,261,483.95.

     

    February allocation figure is higher by N291,079,653.10k when compared with last month, but still represents a worrisome downward trend in revenue.

    

    A statement from the Ministry of Finance said the 16 local governments also received N2,546,039,717.27k (net) as federal allocation for the month of February.

     

    The statement asserted that the figures comprise SRA (Gross) N1,297,699,856.05k; Deductions N37,797,083.19k; SRA (Net) N1,259,902,772.86k and VAT N943, 514,314,.35; Excess Bank charges of N21,302,611.76k and Non Oil Revenue of N321,320,018.30k.

     

    The statement stated that the figure was higher, though it means the local governments will need extra funds to pay 100 percent salary.

  • Kwara Government denies granting approval for construction of Central Mosque beside Catholic Church

    Kwara Government denies granting approval for construction of Central Mosque beside Catholic Church

    The Kwara State Physical Planning Authority (KPPA) has dissociated itself from granting approval for the construction of a Central Mosque beside the Catholic Diocese around the Tanke Junction in Ilorin.

    KPPA General Manager, Mr Sikiru Oyinloye, who disclosed this on Saturday at a news conference in Ilorin, denied the involvement of the agency in the construction of the Ummul Khairah Memorial Central Mosque in the area.

    He said that the owners of the mosque and church had a mutual agreement both worship centres should operate side-by-side.

    The general manager explained that the initial approval that was granted to the owner of the mosque was for a business mall before it was converted to a mosque.

    According to him, there are guidelines that are followed before an approval can be granted for the construction of a worship centre.

    He stated both parties later came to KPPA office “to inform us that a Memorandom of Understanding has been reached that the two worship centres should be allowed to coexist side-by-side without hindrance from either side.”

    Meanwhile, the General Manager has announced that KPPA has commenced the massive demolition of illegal structures in the state.

    He said that shops in two different locations on Fate Road and Lower Sabo Line, both in the Ilorin metropolis, have been demolished because they were awarded Certificate of Temporary Occupancy (CTO).

    According to Oyinloye, the CTO “implies that such buildings or shops can be demolished anytime by the authority after serving the occupier a seven-day notice to vacate.

    “As at the time they were presented with the CTO document by the Kwara State Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, they were also given prototype of what to construct.

    “It is mandatory for all land owners to approach the KPPA for advice before erecting any structure on their land.

    He said the affected shops have earlier been marked for demolition, saying that they were built on places which government reserved for electricity poles, road setbacks, walkways and other public uses.

    Oyinloye, who also solicited support from the media towards educating the people on the dangers associated with illegal structures, warned that demolition of illegal structures was a continuous exercise.

  • Ile Arugbo demolition: Court strikes out Saraki’s suit against Kwara Government

    Ile Arugbo demolition: Court strikes out Saraki’s suit against Kwara Government

    Kwara state High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital Tuesday struck out the suit challenging the demolition and acquisition of the disputed land of the late Dr Olusola Saraki (Ile Arugbo) by the Kwara state government, for want of diligent prosecution.

    The case was brought by claimants to the land, Asa Investment Ltd against the state government.

    The state government had January 2020 taken over the said property, alleging illegal acquisition by the claimants.

    Counsel to the claimants AbdulAzeez Ibrahim had earlier filed an application brought pursuant to Order 11 Rule 17 of the Kwara state High Court 2005 seeking to substitute the late second claimant Alhaji Baba Eleku with one Abubakar Oluwatoyin.

    Mr. Ibrahim also sought for adjournment of the case to another day to enable him file the statement of oath of Abubakar Oluwatoyin, adding that “he is an important party and witness in this case.

    “We also want to call him as our core witness. The lead counsel in this case Dr Akin Onigbinde (SAN). Dr Onigbinde is in mourning mood. He lost his mother last week.”

    He added with the absence of the lead counsel, claimants were unable to continue with the hearing of the matter.

    Defendants counsel Salman Jawondo opposed the application for adjournment.

    Jawondo, ex-attorney-general of the state added that “the claimants are not interested in expeditious prosecution of the case. He hinted that one Ayo Ibrahim listed, first claimants in the case is in court for continuation of hearing.

    In his short ruling presiding Justice Abiodun Adewara refused claimants application for adjournment, asking them to call their first witness.

    Responding, Mr. Jawondo said “at this stage since they cannot continue with the case, we urge the court to invoke Order 39, Rule 4 to strike out the case.

    “We are applying for a date for our counter claim.

    But Mr. Ibrahim countered that “Order 39, Rule 4 is not applicable in the instant case and in the circumstance of today’s proceeding. We pray the court not to accede to prayers of the defendants’ counsel.”

    Delivering his judgement, Justice Abiodun Adewara said Order 39, Rule 4 was no applicable in the matter.

    He added that but “Order 39, Rule 20 readily comes to mind. Claimants are not prosecuting the case diligently. The suit is therefore struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.

    He then adjourned the case to March 17, 2021 for the defendants’ proof of counter claim.

    Fielding questions from reporters after the court session, AbdulAzeez Ibrahim said that “no cause for alarm. We will brief our lead counsel who will in turn brief his clients.

    “That is not the end of the case. We have options of either to appeal against the judgment or to come back again for relisting of the matter. The matter was struck out on merit because the case has not been heard.”

  • EFCC hands over N147.7m recovered loot to Kwara Govt

    EFCC hands over N147.7m recovered loot to Kwara Govt

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over the sum of N147.7 million recovered from alleged treasury looters and contractors to the Kwara state government.

    It said that the sum of N138 million was recovered from the contractors who handled projects from Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) while nine million naira was recovered from the officials of the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    The commission had recently quizzed the officials of SUBEB including its suspended Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Bayo Onimago for allegedly inserted some fictitious names into the board’s payroll.

    Speaking during the hand over, Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mr Kazeem Oseni urged the state government to use the money for the betterment of the people.

    “The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Umar Abba Muhammed has approved that the sum of N147.7 million recovered from suspected treasury looters be returned to the Kwara state government, in our humble efforts to sanitize the system, we try to investigate all Crimes committed in the society and bring the culprit to book.

    “We make sure that stolen assets are returned to lawful owners, we are calling on the Kwara state Government to utilise this money very well so that the State and the EFCC would not be blamed for mismanagement.

    “We are using this opportunity to tell you that the commission will recover more money for both the state government and individuals who are cheated in one way or the other.”

    Receiving the cheques, Commissioner for Finance Olasumbo Florence Oyeyemi, appreciated the EFCC for the recovery promised to use the money for the development of the State.

    She said; “I will like to appreciate the EFCC for your efforts so far, the state government had earlier received one hundred and eleven million naira and two hundred and sixty three million naira at two different occasions, I want to assure the zonal head and other management staff of the EFCC that we will do our to utilise the money very well.”

  • More troubles for Saraki as Kwara Govt seizes another property

    The Kwara State Government has taken over a piece of land owned by the Saraki Family in Ilorin. It will be used for a new secretariat for civil servants.

    Chief Press Secretary to Kwara Governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye announced the decision Friday.

    Ajakaiye said the land was originally meant for Government Secretariat and parking space of the Civil Service Clinic, but was unlawfully allocated to a private firm, Asa Investments Limited, without any record of payment to the state government.

    Part of the land, situated beside the Civil Service Clinic, is also right in front of late Dr Olusola Saraki’s residence.

    The senior Saraki built a house and named it ‘Ile Arugbo’ (elderly peoples’ home).

    According to the statement, no certificate of occupancy was issued in favour of Asa Investments Limited.

    The statement explained that the government has now made provisions for the secretariat in the 2020 budget, although its construction will spill over to 2021.

    “Hundreds of civil servants still operate from rented apartments at a huge cost to the government.

    “The new secretariat, once completed in 2021, will definitely go a long way to end this unhealthy trend as well as provide a more conducive and decent working environment for government workers,” the statement added.

    Ajakaiye added that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has signed an instrument withdrawing the allocation of plots of land 1, 3 and 5 to the firm.

    He said that the said land was unlawfully appropriated contrary to the purpose for which it was meant.

    The spokesman added that the governor’s decision followed a resolution of the State House of Assembly urging him to reclaim the land because it was arbitrarily taken over in the 1990s without any evidence of payment by the company, even though the land was meant for public use.

    The governor noted in the revocation order that the land was originally meant for the construction of another phase of the Kwara State Civil Service Secretariat and a parking space for both the civil service clinic and the secretariat.

    The revocation order read: “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 5 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 1999 and Section 1 and 28 of the Land Use Act Cap. L.5 of 2004 and all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Governor of Kwara State of Nigeria, give the following notice:

    “The Notice may be cited as the Land Use (Revocation of Right of Occupancy and withdrawal of allocation) Notice, 2019.

    “Allocation of plots of land 1, 3 and 5 TPS/MISC 129 to Asa Investment (Nig) Ltd. which is meant for the Kwara State Secretariat.

    “The land, specifically and more described in survey No. KwSH 927 and Land/G1071 situated and lying beside Civil Service Clinic on Ilofa Road Ilorin, Kwara State, is hereby revoked and withdrawn for overriding public interest for use of the purpose it is originally meant for:

    “The construction of Kwara State Secretariat; parking space for civil service clinic and the Kwara State Secretariat and annex to the Civil Service when upgraded to a hospital.

    “That the plots allocated are hereby declared void. Notice is therefore given to you, Asa Investments Nigeria Limited, that the plots of land 1, 3 and 5 TPS/MISC 129 allocated to you and any title on the land whatsoever are hereby revoked and the allocation is withdrawn for overriding public interest,” it read in part.

  • 50th Anniversary: Kwara Govt. inaugurates 31-member planning committee

    50th Anniversary: Kwara Govt. inaugurates 31-member planning committee

     

    The Kwara State Government has set up 31-Man Planning Committee to organise activities for the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state, slated for May.

    Inaugurating the committee in Ilorin on Thursday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold, urged members to package a memorable and worthy anniversary for the state.

    Gold also called on them to be dedicated in the discharge of the duties assigned to them.

    The SSG said the event would afford the people of the state unique opportunity to celebrate the state and be thankful to Almighty God for taking Kwara, so far.

    Gold further said that the state government would use the celebration to take stock of infrastructure development and chart a new course to enhance its development.

    He commended the founding fathers, leaders and past governors of the state for providing the ‘’building blocks’’ for the lasting developmental legacies in the state.

    The committee has the SSG as Chairman and Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Opeloyeru; Director of Political, as Secretary.

    Other members are; Mr Lanre Sagaya; Alhaji Yusuf AbdulWahab, Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kayode Adeyemi, Musa Yeketi; Commissioner for Education and Alhaji Aro Yahaya, Commissioner for Works and Transport.

    Others are; Ademola Banu; Commissioner for Finance, Mahmud Ajeigbe; Commissioner for Information and Communication, AbdulRafiu AbdulRahman; member, Kwara House of Assembly and Kamaldeen Fagbemi; member, Kwara House of Assembly among others.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Kwara was created in 1967, being one of the 12 states created by the government of General Yakubu Gowon.