Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Monday, took the oath office for his second term with a vow to remain a responsible and responsive leader for the people of the state.
The modest yet colourful inauguration began at about 8.10am and lasted just 45 minutes, with the Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Adebara, administering oath to the governor and his deputy, Kayode Alabi, who were accompanied by their spouses, Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq and Mrs Abieyuwa Alabi, respectively.
In his speech, AbdulRazaq promised to build on the gains of the last four years.
He said, “The next four years will consolidate the gains of our first tenure and lay new foundations for sustained socioeconomic development and institutional growth. We are going to deepen the reforms and investments in critical sectors like education, health care delivery, civil service welfare, social safety programmes, general infrastructural upgrade and renewals, focused expansion of our economic base, and promotion of a political culture that advances self-reliance and growth.
“Our spending priorities will be to complete all the ongoing infrastructural projects and iron out the business models to deliver maximum benefits to the people.
“Adequate attention will be focused on completing projects like the Ilorin International Conference Centre, the Revenue House, Innovation Hub, Visual Arts Centre, Sugar Film Factory, Osi and Ilesha Baruba campuses of the Kwara State University, industrial park, Shea Butter factory in Kaiama, among others. The General Tunde Idiagbon Flyover and the garment factory will be flagged off soon with huge economic benefits.
“The Ilorin Capital City Master Plan will be followed by a grander Kwara State Master Plan that will cover Kwara South and Kwara North for sustainable living.
“Affordable housing programme will be another priority of this dispensation. This will help civil servants and other citizens to own their own homes.”
It will also curb unplanned construction and support decent living conditions. In this wise, we will form partnerships with the private sector and Federal Government agencies to develop new satellite towns already mapped out in the Ilorin City Master Plan as well as in GRA lands in parts of Kwara South and Kwara North.”
The governor promised to “be more intentional in our efforts to improve healthy living through a cleaner environment. I seek your support and understanding as we take bolder policy decisions in this regard.”
