Kwara State Government will henceforth invite groups, organisations and individuals to its budget review, Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi has said.
Alabi spoke at the weekend in Offa, Offa Local Government Area, during the first “Offa Economic Summit”.
The summit was organised by Offa Club 80.
The deputy governor added that the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration believed in participatory budgeting, adding that “a conducive environment will be provided through policy framework that will be congenial to the economic and infrastructural development of Kwara communities”.
Alabi, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Tayo Oyelowo, hailed the community for organising the summit.
“This is the first of its kind in the history of the state. This step is worthy of emulation. It is a laudable idea for the entirety of the nation,” he said.
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Retired deputy governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Sarah Alade identified digital infrastructure as a critical key toward developing the nation’s economy.
She spoke on topic: “The nexus between industrial and infrastructural facilities in Offa.’’
She said such digital infrastructure, when provided, would develop the economy and also stimulate industrial growth.
According to her, the future is here and technology is the way to go, if we must build a competitive economy.
“There is need for the provision of digital infrastructure. We can increase the efficiency of services and transform the economy as new businesses spring up around the digital technology.
“Today, innovative technology is being used across Africa to improve living standard and also create new jobs. Smartphones are used to provide advice to farmers on pest control.
“In Rwanda drones deliver medical supply to hospitals in rural areas where the road network is poor. In Nigeria and elsewhere, mobile money provides access to financial services to previously excluded individuals. It is, therefore, important as we have to deliberate on transforming Offa to an emerging city by taking steps to industrialise.
“We need to go beyond the traditional physical infrastructure of roads, rails, etc, which are keys and also invest in digital infrastructure,” she said.
The former CBN boss said Offa has a great industrial prospect, if there the community focus on natural resources, labour supply and strategic location of the town and presence of railway.
Similarly, former Executive Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Dr. Waheed Olagunju said Nigeria has enough money to assist small and medium scale industries and enterprises.
Olagunju spoke on “Action, steps in accessing credit facility to finance industrial projects.”
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