The Kwara State government has assured that it will fund all ongoing projects across the State to completion by December, 2018 through the Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund, IFK.
Speaking during a Media Roundtable organized by the Kwara State Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Media and Communications, Dr. Muideen Akorede noted that under IFK, there will be no abandoned project as all ongoing and new projects will be funded to completion.
The SSA explained that IFK is an innovative scheme established by the State government as a sustainable funding window for the implementation of critical infrastructural projects that will boost the State’s economic growth and development.
He explained that the establishment of a funding scheme like IFK became imperative in view of the limited financial resources available to government at all levels for developmental projects.
Dr. Akorede stated that IFK will be financed through an initial N5billion seed fund and a N500million monthly contribution from the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), adding that the scheme guarantees prompt payment to contractors.
Projects to be implemented under the IFK include the Geri-Alimi Diamond Underpass, construction of two campuses of the Kwara State University (KWASU) in Osi and Ilesha-Baruba, and the Light Up Kwara (LUK) project, which will ensure that all major roads in the State are provided with solar-powered streetlights.
Others are dualisation of Michael Imodu-Ganmo road, dualisation of UITH-Sango road, renovation of Indoor sport hall of the Ilorin Stadium, among others.
Earlier in his remarks, the Kwara NUJ Chairman, Mallam Abiodun Abdulkareem said that the Media Roundtable is designed as a platform for journalists to interact with top-rated media practitioners and government officials in the State.
He added that the platform is primarily aimed at informing and educating journalists and other members of the public on vital issues relating to the development of the State.