FOR any state to experience true transformation, there is need for a sustainable approach to socio-economic development. Indeed, there is need to base economic development on the principles of sustainable development, with emphasis on the efficient and sustainable use of natural and human resources.

Economic development must also be in tune with political, cultural and social life, and strive to eliminate structural poverty, as well as the culture of poverty that affects large segments of the population.

It is therefore imperative to leverage on the socio-economic indicators in any society, to bring about reforms, restructuring and ultimately, lasting development.

According to a report on the socio-economic indicators in Kwara state, as obtained from the website of the Kwara state Bureau of Statistics, the strategic location of the state, makes it a gateway between the Southern and Northern parts of the country, with the potential of attracting settlements.

The state also has a good network of transportation facilities and its central location makes it easily accessible, thereby linking it with Nigeria's other industrial and commercial centres.

Additionally, the presence of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and teaching hospitals bear credence to the comparative higher developmental potentials of the state among all other five states in the zone.

The report further stated the need for the state’s development indices and patterns, to be located within the socio-economic development agenda and the vision of the present administration under the shared prosperity development menus and its aspiration, as encapsulated in the five thematic areas of; Impactive growth in Agriculture, Human capital development and Youth Empowerment, Strategic Infrastructural Development, Aggressive and Expansive Revenue drive and Solid Mineral and Tourism development.

In line with this, and as part of the government's strategy to pool together capable hands to propel the state to greater heights and achieve its socio-economic development potential, that the Governor of Kwara state, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, recently swore-in ten newly appointed commissioners out of a total of nineteen. The remaining nine, have just been confirmed.

According to the Governor, this first set of commissioners were sworn-in, in view of the urgent need to get on with the business of governance. Consequently, he urged the new commissioners to play their part and not fail the people, despite the current financial constraints facing the country.

The people he said, already played their part by electing them into office, it is therefore imperative to create opportunities and conditions for prosperity and state development. This will be achieved by the provision of social and economic development that positively transforms the state and improves lives.

Worthy of note, is the administration’s adopted strategy of economic diversification through agribusiness, infrastructural development,foreign and local investment drive, as well as sustained improvement in Internally Generated Revenue.

Hence, the government's commitment to ensuring the resumption of infrastructural development in the state. While addressing the newly sworn-in commissioners, Governor Ahmed noted that work will resume this month on ongoing and new infrastructural projects.

These projects will stimulate economic activities, put more money in people's pockets, enhance public welfare and provide the appropriate atmosphere for investment inflow.

Likewise, at the recent commissioning of the new Forgo battery assembly facility in Ilorin, the Governor assured that following a lull in projects, infrastructural development programmes will resume and key among the projects will include; road, power, water and education.

Consequently, investors were again invited to take advantage of these developments and exploit the numerous opportunities that abound in the state.

Governor Ahmed also reiterated his administration's commitment to continue to create a conducive environment for investments to thrive in the State.

Of particular note, is the relaxed measures for acquiring land and Certificate of Occupancy and the availability of other benefits to encourage investment.

He further pledged that all machinery will be in motion to sustain the atmosphere of peace that is a necessary pre-requisite for the upsurge of industries and commercial ventures.

Agriculture has also been identified as a tool for tackling poverty, ensuring food security, creating agro-allied jobs and wealth through value chain management in Kwara State.

This drive to support agriculture in the state, has led to the launch of the Off Taker-Demand Driven Scheme.

The scheme links small farmers in the state to big buyers, providing food security and also help farmers with storage, while ensuring they embark on large scale farming.

Furthermore, with regards to power generation, the Governor has given assurances that arrangements have been concluded to establish a 100 megawatts power project to power industrial clusters and essential services.

The power project will free up energy for homes and businesses in a manner that will enhance the welfare of the people and stimulate direct and indirect jobs.

As a result, and to stimulate infrastructural projects, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service was established, with the mandate of increasing revenue generated in the state from the current 700 million Naira to an initial 2 billion naira per month.