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KWARA
STATE AND POWER GENERATION
Sunday March 22, 2009 |
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By Okon Emerson
newsdiaryonline.com |
I just returned from a trip to Ilorin. I would like
my home government to look at the way electricity
has suddenly kick-started gradually return of
industrial and commercial activities in Kwara State
by mere ensuring that that State now enjoys steady
electricity supply.
Governor Saraki had about a year ago taken over the
Federal Government’s Power Project in Kwara State
and completed it at a record time and this has
resulted in the present power situation in that
State.
In my own State (Akwa Ibom), we all heard from both
the past government and the present one arguing on
the extent of work done on the Ikot Abasi IPP as at
hand-over date in 2007. While Attah’s Government was
saying the Independent Power Project which Obasanjo
had commissioned at the twilight of the regime was
97% completed, the Akpabio Government argued that it
was 90%. This is where the argument has kept Akwa
Ibom till date.
We are saying that even if it was below 90%
completed by the time of the hand-over, what should
be holding the balance 10% for over two years now?
It is a fact that Kwara State gets less allocation
from the federation account when compared with the
huge one being received by (our) Akwa State
Government, therefore with right prioritization in
application of the fund, we ought to be better off
getting the power project completed. Moreover, it is
the bedrock of
industrialization and commercialization. What our
government (concentrated attention on) were things
like the controversial Tropicana Centre, the
unnecessary fly-over within Uyo metropolis, the
Government Lodge project, Federal roads, etc.
Prioritization is necessary in every human endeavour.
Other State governors should go and learn on how
Governor Saraki achieved what I witnessed.
Chief Okon Emerson sent this in from
95 Awolowo Way,
Ikeja, Lagos State
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