Date: 2014-09-24

The Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the appointment of 14 members on the creation of Local Government Development Areas in Kwara State.

A statement issued from the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold and signed by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Alhaji Muritala Shehu said the Committee has Alhaji  Abubakar Kawu Baraje as chairman.

According to the state, other members include, Alhaji Saidu Issa, Alhaji Khaleel Bolaji, Hon Tunde Umar, Hon. Abdulwahab Issa, Mr. Joshua Ogunlowo and Alhaji Rasaq Umar.

Others are Professor Halidu Abubakar, Hon. (Chief) Wole Oke, Hajia Fati Kadiri, Alhaij Muhammad T. Sanusi, Dr. Abubakar A. Ishola and Alhaij AbdulKadir Oba Salihu while Alhaji A.A. Yusuf serves as the Secretary.

The terms of reference of the committee include: To identify all basic parameters contingent to the creation of Local Government Council Development Areas using variables peculiar to the Kwara environment while borrowing creative experiences from other states that have traveled such a path; to consider all factors realted to viability (Internally Generated Revenue, population, land area etc.) in suggesting and earmarking an area as qualified for Local Government Council Development Area, identify a suitable community as headquarters, taking due cognizance of precedence in age long administrative responsibility like being district headquarters in arriving at the choice.

To consider size as a prime factor in the creation of the development areas to ensure uniformity across board, equity and equal stake in the overall Kwara project.

It is also said that the committee will assess the possibility of converting the existing districts into Development Area Councils, with little adjustment where it is found absolutely necessary.

Furthermore, the Committee is to ensure shared aspirations, congruency in worldview and ability to work collectively for the overall interest of the Development Area in creating them to ensure accelerated development and growth of the administrative units so created.

The statement again stated that the committee is to review report of similar exercise done in the past and any other considerations the committee finds pertinent and worthwhile in ensuring that justice is done to this epoch-making state assignment.

Meanwhile, it is stated that your choice to serve on the committee was deliberate and derived from your wealth of experience, impeccable service career and above all being imbued with an enviable virtue of a respectable individual of good standing in the community.

While the statement congratulates you most sincerely for this well deserved appointment, it is His Excellency’s earnest desire that you will collectively work assiduously to realize government objectives in setting up the committee and best wishes for a re-sounding success in the assignment ahead.

Meanwhile the inauguration of the committee comes up on Friday by 11am at the Council Chambers, Government House, Ilorin.