Date: 2021-05-19

Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday said his administration is committed to making the right investments in human capital, infrastructural development and security architecture with a view to encouraging socio-economic growth and the safety of investors.

He spoke in Ilorin while declaring open a 2-day technology transfer for 100 technicians, organized by the kwara state government in conjunction with the Simba Group, the manufacturer of TVS XL100 motorcycle.

"Today is yet another important moment for us as an administration. This is because this technology transfer training perfectly fits into our agenda of empowering our people with liveable skills which will help to earn decent living as well as lift many others from poverty. It will also expand the economic base of the state. I'm certain that beneficiaries of this technology transfer will also teach others and spread the frontiers of collective prosperity in our communities.

"I encourage the Simba Group to invest more in Kwara State. Kwara people are peace-loving, accommodating, and mostly industrious. I assure you that your investment will be a win-win bargain. On our part, we will continue to make the right investments in human capital and infrastructural development as well as security architecture to make Kwara State investors' haven", the Governor said this through the Commissioner for Enterprise, Arinola Lawal, who represented him at the event.

The governor commended his Senior Special Assistant on Community Intervention, Kayode Oyin-Zubair for facilitating workable collaboration with the Simba Group, describing the efforts as laudable.

Oyin-Zubair, in his introductory remarks, said the essence of the technology transfer session was to expose the local technicians to the mechanism of the XL 100 Heavy Duty, as part of the government's mission to drive development through innovations.

He said the state's partnership with Simba company was not afresh, recalling the fruits of their synergy on community transport system and agriculture (irrigation) three months ago.

Substantiating further, the Governor's aide said the government has facilitated smooth mega service programs for the SIMBA TVS in 2020 with the release of the Metropolitan Square, which he added, involved a free engine service for about 500 TVS tricycles on each occasion, as manufactured by the company "We have a relationship with this company that has eight sub-divisions; we have been relating with them on community transport systems and lately agriculture. The company (SIMBA Agriculture) about three months ago introduced its drip irrigation system to us in the state", Oyin-Zubair said.

"We started in 2020 to have a mega worship and service center for the company in Kwara State to service the whole of the North Central zone, the move suffered a setback. We are however unrelenting in our effort to get it established here. We are equally working out a package that will benefit members of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) in the state. We have reached an advanced stage on that as well. Let me remind the management of SIMBA TVS that Kwara is a business friendly environment and we shall continue to provide incentives that will make your operations seamless in Kwara State. As we continue with our partnership with SIMBA TVS, the interest of our people will be at the center of our engagement."

Ajit Ajana, representing Simba Group, appreciated the government for collaborating through the SSA on Community Intervention, Oyin-Zubair and vouched that the trainees would have course to thank their sponsor at the end of the programme.

He added that no less than 100 technicians would be equipped with basic mechanical skills.

Some of the participants who spoke to newsmen in the middle of the capacity building programme thanked the government for seeking to broaden their knowledge and creating various avenues to maximize their income.

Mashood, Abdulrafiu Agboola

Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor