The Chairmen of the 16 Local Government Areas of Kwara State have marked their first year in office with the commissioning of key projects across health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and security.
Speaking in Ilorin, the Spokesperson for the council chairmen and Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Hajji AbddulRashhed Yusuf, attributed the achievements to the renewed local government autonomy championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and supported by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Yusuf, who unveiled over 100 projects in Ifelodun alone, said; “the autonomy had created healthy competition among councils, enabling visible grassroots development.”
He praised Governor AbdulRazaq for his openness and non-interference in council affairs, describing him as “a leader who upholds transparency.”
Projects executed in Ifelodun include the construction and renovation of primary healthcare centres in six communities, the installation of over 30 solar-powered boreholes, rehabilitation of township and inter-community roads, and provision of motorcycles to police divisions to boost security.
The Council also sponsored 41 students for health-related courses, constructed and renovated classrooms, revived tractors for agriculture, distributed farm inputs, and organised the maiden Chairman’s Cup to promote youth engagement through sports.
Yusuf, however noted that federal allocations are still disbursed through joint accounts, stressing the need for direct remittances to councils to fully entrench autonomy.
He urged stakeholders to support peace and stability in Kwara.
Also the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel Chairman, Abdulhakeem Garba, commended the council’s achievements and pledged media partnership to sustain grassroots development
Confidence Okwuchi