Agriculture is panacea to salvaging economy, says Ahmed

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has canvassed urgent diversification of Nigeria’s economy to agriculture as the only credible and sustainable solution to the current recession.

The governor, who urged a deliberate effort on advocacy on agriculture as a source of wealth told first class traditional rulers from Kwara South Senatorial District who visited him at Government House, Ilorin that his administration would continue to assist farmers with information, seedlings and chemicals to boost agric-business.

He charged the rulers to develop more interest in agriculture and continue to support programmes and policies of his government.Ahmed called on monarchs to be major players in the promotion of peace and security in their domains.

The governor who noted that it was only when lives of people and their property are secured that government’s developmental and infrastructural efforts could yield desired results, stressed: “Government will continue to partner with our royal fathers on security so that our people can live in peace because it is only when we have a secured environment that we can truly progress economically.

“Most importantly, we’ll create a sense of transparency in the area of project execution because monies that will be used for the projects will be monies gotten from the people under the internally generated revenue. Transparency in governance is necessary for people to have confidence.”

The governor promised that all projects to be initiated would be completed before December 2018. This, according to him, will be possible as the newly established Kwara Infrastructure Fund is positioned for the financing of projects across the state from inception to completion within given time frame.

With a minimum of N500 million from internally generated revenue earmarked for the fund monthly, financing of projects would become easier and consistent, he stressed.

Earlier, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye, who led the traditional rulers, explained that the visit was to congratulate the governor on a successful Sallah celebration and promised continuous support for him.He sought the continuous support of the government to farmers.