Saraki restates resolve to transform Kwara's economy
From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin
THE Kwara Governor, Bukola Saraki yesterday restated his resolve to transform the state into an industrial economy before the end of his tenure.
He spoke at different fora while receiving the executive director of Multi-Links Telecommunications, Chief Ezekiel Fatoye and his Wema Bank counterpart Alhaji Musiliu Adeleke.
Saraki stated that only an industrial economy could give the citizens the benefits of democracy.
Addressing Fatoye and his entourage, Saraki said: "We have tried to reposition the state, especially with much emphasis on private sector. This is nothing but the benefits of democracy and the administration we are running in Kwara State."
He continued: "It has never been so good like this in the past 10 years. The immediate past government created unfriendly atmosphere that drove away investors. But now things have changed for good."
Saraki urged Kwara indigenes worldwide to come and invest in the state, adding that his administration planned to open up a bilateral trade agreement with the Benin Republic.
Kwara is bounded in the North by the Republic of Benin. And for this, the government plans to tar the road that links it with the West African country.
He urged the management of the telecommunication outfit to spread its tentacles to "all nooks and crannies of the state for greater outfit."
Fatoye said that Multi-Link organisation was established eight years ago, with such technologies as wireless telephone network, internet access services, adding that a sum of N10 billion would be committed into the project in Kwara.
The governor while welcoming the Wema Bank managing director to the Government House , Saraki said the bank should assist the state government in its micro-credit scheme.
Saraki said he had already written a letter to "main banks" in the state to assist the government on the scheme.
Adeleke said the bank could not only assist the state but would also expand its services towards prompt recapitalisation.`
