We’ll end diversion of local government funds in Kwara – Abdulrazaq

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kwara state, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has promised to end diversion of local government funds if elected as governor of the state during the March 2 election.

This is as he promised to ensure construction of the bridge linking Pategi to Bida emirate in Niger state to deepen cultural and trade relations between the two states.

AbdulRazaq told community leaders at the Etsu of Nupe’s palace at the weekend during a campaign tour of the northern part of the state.

He said: “We are going to end the diversion of local government funds through the so-called joint accounts because the practice is the cause of lack of development and rising poverty at the grassroots.

“River Niger is, for us, not a dividing line but an area of convergence between Kwara and Niger. We will link Pategi and Bida emirate in Niger with a bridge, even if by public-private arrangement.

“We therefore urge you to vote massively for the president, all our candidates for the National and State Assembly and for me as your governor.

“Once you do this, we will collaborate with the administration of the president to build a bridge to link the two states and end the agony of losing our people to incessant boat accidents.

“We will provide jobs for our youths. We will make sure that you have infrastructure which will not only boost trade but will also generate employments.

“We will revive local industries, especially agro-processing factories. Importantly, our administration will accord proper respect to the traditional institutions.”

Pategi community leaders on their part, pledged to support AbdulRazaq in exchange for his promise to ensure the construction of the bridge linking the area across the River Niger.

The Akimi of Chegban, a community under the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, said “Your aspiration has our blessings in view of your pledge to guarantee the construction of a bridge across the River Niger.”

Abubakar also urged the candidate to help activate the long abandoned NTA facilities in the town.

In Kpada, AbdulRazaq pledged to construct the long abandoned Pategi-Kpada road if elected.

Sadiq Umar, the APC senatorial candidate for Kwara North, said the area will not remain the same if they support the president and all APC candidates in the general elections.

AbdulRazaq was accompanied on the tour by top party chieftains, elder statesmen, all the APC candidates from the northern senatorial district, and former APC governorship aspirant, Abdullahi Yamman.

The tour has seen AbdulRazaq visiting several towns and villages across Pategi and Edu local governments, including Pategi, Kpada, Lade, Tsaragi, Lafiagi and others.