Kwara State House of Assembly has sought for further clarification on the state’s ‘Light Up Kwara’, before it can appropriate fund for the Project in 2017 budget.
The House gave the indication in Ilorin, following what it regarded as unsatisfactory explanation by Idris Abubakar, the Commissioner for Energy during ministerial budget defence of his ministry before the legislature.
A statement by Abdulrahman Sanni, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, said the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy, Works and Transport, Mathew Olaitan Babaoye, explained that the House was yet to be convinced on the modus operandi, funding and viability of the project, whose first phase that would cover Ilorin metropolis, according to budget proposal presented by the governor would gulp over N730million.
The House therefore, urged the executive arm of government and management of IF-K to furnish it with detailed information on the project, before funds could appropriated for the project as contained in the 2017 budget estimate.
The House equally called for upward review of transformers to be purchased to accommodate all constituencies as against 16 proposed in the budget estimate and enjoined the ministry to come with comprehensive information on the number and cost of energising existing transformers that had been presented to some communities by the state government to boost power supply in the State.
Similarly, the house also requested the executive arm of government to increase funds earmarked for connecting all communities along power line to national grid from N70million to N90million so as to accommodate all the affected communities in this year’s budget.
He however, disclosed that the Legislature had resolved to be carrying out quarterly oversight function to ensure that projects to be funded by the budget were executed as would be approved by the legislature.
The Commissioner had earlier briefed the committee that the solar powered “Light Up Kwara” project would among other things enhance socio- economic transformation, security of lives and properties and as well boost aesthetics value of the State.
Meanwhile, AbdulRafiu AbdulRahman, a lawmaker representing Ilorin North/West constituency, faulted the proposed 2017 Kwara budget over non provision of Bursary award for indigenes of the state in Tertiary institutions in the Country.
The Legislator who is a Member of the Education Committee of the House made the observation during the continuation of debate of the 2017 budget.
Abdulrahman, while making his contribution to the debate of general principle of 2017 budget which entered fifth day on Thursday noted that non inclusion of busary award will create untold hardship for the students.
The provision of bursary award in 2017 budget according to him has become imperative to cushion the effect of current economic predicament in the Country.
He therefore appealed to his colleagues to suggest a specific amount in the budget to cater for bursary allowance to give indigenes of the state in Tertiary institutions a sense of belonging.
Mathew Okedare, the Deputy Speaker who presided over plenary supported the position of AbdulRahman and called for the appropriation of specific amount in 2017 budget for bursary award. He noted that such gesture would be of assistance to several indigents parents.
Saheed Popoola, chairman of the House Committee on Information, called for declaration of state of emergency in Kwara Agric sector.
He stressed that the fund earmarked for the development of Agriculture in the state was too inadequate to truly develop Agricultural activities in the state.
Hassan Oyeleke, the Leader of the House, later moved a motion for the passage of the second reading of the 2017 Kwara Appropriation Bill which was unanimously supported by all members.
The Deputy Speaker directed the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation to further work on the budget and report to the House on 21st February, 2017.
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Shoprite keeps faith with Nigerian economy despite tough operating environment
Despite the tough operating environment in the Nigeria which has dampened retailers’ confidence forcing many to shut down stores, Shoprite, Africa’s largest retailer, has continued to grow its presence in the country.
“We stock products from local manufacturers and local farmers. We are proud to support Nigeria businesses, by actively supporting local economies growth to be part of Nigeria’s success. 76 percent of our products are sourced locally, 250 local suppliers and 160 local farms,” Shoprite said in an advert.
“We stock products from local manufacturers and local farmers. We are proud to support Nigeria businesses, by actively supporting local economies growth to be part of Nigeria’s success. 76 percent of our products are sourced locally, 250 local suppliers and 160 local farms,” Shoprite said in an advert.
Shoprite Group opened its 19th store in Maryland, Lagos in 2016 where it introduced its Usave brand.
Usave, the firm said, combines the convenience of location with low prices to attract customers, who are serious about saving and for those who do not need the expensive frills and spills of regular supermarkets.
“Through bulk buying directly from the manufacturers, Usave has managed to drop its prices even more. This saving is passed directly on to the customer and as a result, they are able to get bulk value without necessarily having to buy in bulk,” said Olaniyi Ajiteru, manager of Shoprite Usave at Maryland Mall.
He added: “Usave is backed by an innovative strategy of small format stores offering a limited range of basic foods at everyday low prices. The new format removes the cost of packing and pricing from the value chain, enabling it to consistently deliver top brands at affordable prices.”
Top retailers Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Busen, a Chinese clothing company, Mr. Price, Lifemate and Samsung have been forced to close some outlets, while Truworths International Limited and Markham, both South African clothing companies shut down stores completely in Nigeria.
Michael Mark, CEO, Truworths International Limited said earlier last year, that stores in countries bordering South Africa were doing well and in Ghana, the stores are also doing fine.
“It is just Nigeria that is not and we would go back there if everything changes. The regulations were making it extraordinarily difficult to get stock into the stores,” Mark said.
BDSUNDAY findings show mall retailers are increasingly being hit by the realities of the times resulting in default in rents usually paid in dollars as well as staff rationalisation and salary cuts.
The situation got to a peak last year when some of the retail shops commenced gradual exit from the malls to stem the mounting indebtedness to the mall owners and employees, further investigations by BDSUNDAY showed.
“We decided to move out because we are not making enough sales to pay the bills,’’ a manager of U.S Polo Assn., in Apapa Mall told BDSUNDAY.
Adenike Ogunlesi, founder & CRO of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble told Business Day in an earlier report that business generally was going south due to the lingering dollar scarcity.
“We have closed some of our outlets. We are facing a market with diminishing buying power and malls that are dollar-denominated in a country where we sell in Naira.’’
Usave, the firm said, combines the convenience of location with low prices to attract customers, who are serious about saving and for those who do not need the expensive frills and spills of regular supermarkets.
“Through bulk buying directly from the manufacturers, Usave has managed to drop its prices even more. This saving is passed directly on to the customer and as a result, they are able to get bulk value without necessarily having to buy in bulk,” said Olaniyi Ajiteru, manager of Shoprite Usave at Maryland Mall.
He added: “Usave is backed by an innovative strategy of small format stores offering a limited range of basic foods at everyday low prices. The new format removes the cost of packing and pricing from the value chain, enabling it to consistently deliver top brands at affordable prices.”
Top retailers Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, Busen, a Chinese clothing company, Mr. Price, Lifemate and Samsung have been forced to close some outlets, while Truworths International Limited and Markham, both South African clothing companies shut down stores completely in Nigeria.
Michael Mark, CEO, Truworths International Limited said earlier last year, that stores in countries bordering South Africa were doing well and in Ghana, the stores are also doing fine.
“It is just Nigeria that is not and we would go back there if everything changes. The regulations were making it extraordinarily difficult to get stock into the stores,” Mark said.
BDSUNDAY findings show mall retailers are increasingly being hit by the realities of the times resulting in default in rents usually paid in dollars as well as staff rationalisation and salary cuts.
The situation got to a peak last year when some of the retail shops commenced gradual exit from the malls to stem the mounting indebtedness to the mall owners and employees, further investigations by BDSUNDAY showed.
“We decided to move out because we are not making enough sales to pay the bills,’’ a manager of U.S Polo Assn., in Apapa Mall told BDSUNDAY.
Adenike Ogunlesi, founder & CRO of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble told Business Day in an earlier report that business generally was going south due to the lingering dollar scarcity.
“We have closed some of our outlets. We are facing a market with diminishing buying power and malls that are dollar-denominated in a country where we sell in Naira.’’
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