Date: 2017-02-11

The Kwara State House of Assembly has sought for further clarification on the state's Light Up Kwara Project before it can appropriate fund for the Project in 2017 budget. The House gave the indication in Ilorin, following what it regarded as unsatisfactory explanation by the Commissioner for Energy Engr. Idris Abubakar during ministerial budget defence of his Ministry before the Legislature.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Energy, Works and Transport, Hon. Mathew Olaitan Babaoye explained that the House was yet to be convinced on the modus operandi, funding and viability of the project, whose first phase would cover Ilorin metropolis, according to budget proposal presented by the Governor would gulp over N730m.

The House therefore urged the executive arm of government and management of IF-K to furnish it with detailed information on the project, before funds could be appropriated for the project as contained in the 2017 budget estimate.

The House equally called for upward review of transformers to be purchased to accommodate all constituencies as against 16 proposed in the budget estimate and enjoined the ministry to come with comprehensive information on the number and cost of energising existing transformers that had been presented to some communities by the state government to boost power supply in the State.

The house also requested the executive arm of government to increase funds earmarked for connecting all communities along power line to national grid from N70m to N90m to accommodate all the affected communities in this year's budget.

He however disclosed that the Legislature had resolved to be carrying out quarterly oversight function to ensure that projects to be funded by the budget were executed as would be approved by the Legislature.

The Commissioner had earlier briefed the committee that the solar powered "Light Up Kwara" project would among other things enhance, socio- economic transformation, security of lives and properties and boost aesthetics value of the State.