Date: 2016-12-16

The Kwara State government has assured that it would fund all ongoing projects across the state to completion by December, 2018 through the state Infrastructure Development Fund, also known as IFK.

Speaking during a Media round table organized by the State Council of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Thursday, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Media and Communications, Dr. Muideen Akorede noted that under IFK, there would be no abandoned project as all ongoing and new ones would be funded to completion.

The Governor's aide explained that IFK is an innovative scheme established by the state government as a sustainable funding window for implementation of critical infrastructural projects that would boost the state's economic growth and development.

He explained that the establishment of a funding scheme like IFK became imperative in view of limited financial resources available to government at all levels for developmental projects.

Dr. Akorede stated that IFK would 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 Geri-Alimi Diamond Underpass, construction of two campuses of Kwara State University (KWASU) in Osi and Ilesha-Baruba, and Light Up Kwara (LUK) project, which would 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 Ilorin Stadium, among others.

Earlier in his remarks, the Kwara NUJ Chairman, 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.