The 20th edition of the National Council on Works has commenced its annual general meeting for 2013 in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The theme of this years meeting: "Reforming the Road Sector for Sustainable Economic Development" was purposed to afford stakeholders in the road sector the opportunity to review achievements recorded and formulate new policies.
The gathering of professionals in the road sector was declared open by the Commissioner of Works and Transport, Abubakar Amuda – Kannike who remarked that the Kwara State Government is pleased with the Federal Ministry of Works for choosing the state to host the event. He also assured the participants of the readiness to ensure successful hosting and enjoined them to have fruitful deliberations.
The Commissioner noted that the administration of AbdulFatah Ahmed as Governor of Kwara State through the spirit of continuity has completed almost all road projects inherited from the past administration, whilst new ones initiated by him have either been completed or are at completion stages.
The Commissioner stated that the Kwara State Government has adopted a unique funding strategy to ensure regular payment of contractors, in order to prevent project abandonment. Adding, the state has also continued to intervene on federal roads within its vicinity in the spirit of shared prosperity as about N8 billion was committed to the road from Oyo State border to Chinkanda, stretching to about 125.85kmand and about N2.5 billion was refunded three years ago.
He acknowledged the efforts of the present leadership of the Federal Ministry of Works to get the State fully reimbursed; saying other federal roads intervened upon by the Kwara State Government include the Pategi – Kpada – Kogi State Boundary Road; the South -Link Road; Ilorin – Kulende – Oyun in Ilorin, Post Office – Micheal Imodu Road and the Ohan Bridge along Ilorin – Igbeti Roads.
The Commissioner expressed the appreciation of the Kwara State Government over the recent efforts to rehabilitate federal roads in the State and solicited for prompt approval of the request for the Federal Government's intervention for prompt re-imbursement of the Kaima – Kishi Road which is estimated at about N7.2 billion.
On his part, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics – Abubakar Magaji while delivering a vote of thanks expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Government, the Minister of Works as well as the Permanent Secretary for their overwhelming support towards the successful hosting of the 2013 National Council on Works Meeting.
The event was attended by Directors of the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Controllers of Works, Representatives of States' Ministry of Works as well as stakeholders in the road sector.
Source: National Council on Works commences meeting in Ilorin (http://fmi.gov.ng/latest/30354/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=national-council-on-works-commences-meeting-in-ilorin)
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