Opinion: A look at Ahmeds three years as Kwara governor. By Tunde Akanbi ilorin.info/fullnews.php?id=10802 It was just like yesterday but three years have rolled by. However, it is not how far but rather, how well. The present administration in Kwara State, under the leadership of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, came on board three years ago, precisely on 29th May 2011. Since then, Kwara State, known as the State of peace and harmony, has been witnessing various developmental programmes. One major advantage the good people of Kwara State are enjoying under this present administration is the conducive political, religious and administrative atmosphere under which the political leaders are operating upon. Unlike in some other states of the federation where various political leaders are always at each others throats, Kwara State is with a difference. Here in Kwara State, there are two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) still, they play politics without bitterness. When leaders of the two political parties meet at events, they embrace and exchange pleasantries. But in other states where political activities are violent, rival groups meet and exchange guns shots. The political leader in Kwara State and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial district at the National Assembly Dr Bukola Saraki (CON) deserves salutations for this administrations remarkable achievements and the relative political peace the state is presently witnessing. Continuity in governance (which is lacking in most administrations in the country) is what is paying off today in Kwara State. The good works Senator Bukola Saraki left behind after serving the state for eight years is what Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is now building upon. Senator Bukola Saraki who is presently the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology was the fifth chief executive of the state. It is on record today in Nigeria that Kwara State remains one of the most, if not the most peaceful state in Nigeria. All these credit would be attributed to our dynamic leader and the sustainable efforts of our hardworking governor. Alhaji Ahmed, the Share-born banker was elected the sixth executive governor of the state under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) umbrella. Before then, he was appointed Commissioner for Finance at the start of Senator Bukola Sarakis administration (2003-2009) before he was later reassigned to the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, a position he held before his nomination and election to the post of governor which we are today celebrating. The administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed was branded the continuity government because the incumbent governor was not only a member of Sarakis cabinet then, but was an influential member in charge of highly strategic positions. As part of activities marking the third anniversary, the government had lined up various programmes which had one way or the other improved the living standard of the electorate. It is now time for stock-taking and appraising the journey so far. It is natural that being a key player in the formulation of the then administrations policies and programmes, Governor Ahmed has always strived for its continuation and ultimate completion and success. Within three years, the present administration has both consolidated on the legacies of his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki as well as using its shared prosperity programme to embark on new projects and programmes for the continued social and economic growth of the state. One thing that the present administration should be given kudos for is that the government has been so transparent about its finances. The state Commissioner for Finance, Engineer Ademola Nurudeen Banu, who is the Chairman of the State Joint Allocation Committee has always publicised the financial position of the state government and that of the local governments through monthly advertisements in some National dailies, stating clearly the governments income and expenditures. On the twenty three billion naira bond, the state government plans to secure from the capital market, Engineer Banu has taken pains to explain the rationale behind the bond at different fora, stressing that it is meant to complete all ongoing projects and commence new ones which at the end of the day, would be of great benefit to the electorate who ordinarily are the end beneficiaries. Now, one thing you can not take away from the Chief Executive of the state, Alhaji Ahmed is that he is vibrant, trusted, deeply religious, and very intelligent. And that is why he has been able to deliver the dividends of democracy to the over three million Kwarans
Posted on: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 19:00:00 +0000
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