By Dare Akogun
The governor of Kwara state, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has charged contractors that will execute the 2020 Federal Government of Nigeria- Universal Basic Education (FGN- UBEC) intervention projects in the state to patronise qualified local artisans and suppliers in carrying out their projects.
The governor gave the directive at the official bid opening for the 2020 (FGN-UBEC/ KWSUBEB) intervention projects at the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) on Wednesday, September 20, in Ilorin where a total of 209 contractors bidded for the projects.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, AbdulRazaq said the essence of encouraging contractors to patronize qualify local artisans and suppliers was to ensure “inclusiveness and create jobs” for the people of their host communities.
He warned that the state government “will not accept any work that falls below the required standard” from the would-be contractors.
Earlier in his remarks the chairman KWSUBEB, Professor Sheu Adaramaja announced that the governor has also approved the counterpart fund for the 2021 projects.
Adaramaja said the governor gave the approval following the board’s effective utilisation of 2014- 2019 intervention funds which gave birth to the 2020 project being bidded for.
He said the bidding for the 2020 projects was “very competitive because of the low number of projects to be executed due to the effects of COVID -19.”
The KWSUBEB chairman also announced that the board will on Thursday in Ajase-Ipo, flag off distribution of textbooks worth millions of naira to primary 1-6 pupils across the state.
“I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the unflinching support of the executive governor of Kwara state for his magnanimity in providing basic infrastructure that gave birth to many benefit from UBEC e.g. establishment of UBEC Smart School Adeta, construction of bilingual education schools in Ballah, Share and Banni; supply of many multi – million- naira instructional materials to complement the state government efforts.”
