Local Content: Kwara Assembly passes bill to empower indigenous contractors, others

A Bill for a law to establish Kwara State Public Procurement Agency, to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in governance, in the state, has been finally passed by the state House of Assembly.
Under the law, all contracts to be executed by the state government are now to be moderated by the agency.
The law equally now makes it mandatory, that certain percentage of local content of any projects to be executed, must be handled by artisans and local contractors in the state.
The Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad, while directing the Clerk of the House, Hajia Halimat Jummai Kperogi  to prepare clean copy, for Governor’s assent, described the passage of the bill, as revolutionary, in the state.
Dr. Ahmad, expressed delight that the passage of the bill, would strengthen the crusade against corrupt practices, in the area of procurement.
The Bill according to him, would equally empower indigenous contractors and ensure in checking increasing rate of joblessness in the state.
He lauded members of the joint committee and staff of the secretariat, for carrying out a thorough assignment on the bill and enjoined the federal government, to embrace the law in fighting against corruption, instead of using ICPC, EFCC, in persecuting perceived political opponents, in the country
The House equally urged the state government to urgently provide palliatives for the collapsed bridges linking Ijagbo and Ipee as well as erosion ravaged Odo-Atan Community in Oyun Local Government Area, to alleviate the hardship being encountered by the people of the affected communities, following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by member representing Oke Ogun Constituency, Barrister Kamal Fagbemi.