Water scarcity: Lawal’s son wants ANPP policy implemented

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

Son of former Governor of Kwara state and gubernatotial aspirant under Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) ,Mallam Akeem Lawal has recommended water policy prescribed by the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) to solve annual water problem in the state.

Lawal, who stated this during a press conference in Ilorin at the weekend said the short term, mid term and long term policy abandoned by his father predecessors had cause a lot of setback in an efforts to ensure availability of water in Ilorin metropolis.

“I believe that many people know that when my father was alive during the administration of ANPP then, they have short term, mid term and permanent solution for Ilorin and Kwara State water scarcity situation.

“The short term was the issue of digging of bore holes across the state. The midterm solution was the issue of having enough Reservoirs. These amenities and plan are there but they were not utilised. My father had the plan then to expand Asa dam to solve water problem in the state and Ilorin metropolis. Everybody in the state can testify to this before his death. What we need is to ensure these plan were executed and these facilities properly used.”

Speaking on his programmes for the people of the state if elected as governor, Lawal said there was a new way of doing governance in the state which must have direct empowerment of people.

“I’m aware that we don’t have much resources in Kwara state. As a result of this, we need a Resources Thinker, thinker that will govern in different ways and in turn, boost economy.

“As a developer, in the area of housing, I can’t believe it why a Civil servant who had been working for the past 30 years could not have a three bedroom flat at his or her retirement age. If we have housing fund in Kwara state and each Civil Servant contribute certain thousands into it, it means they would have sufficient money to build a house at every year for retired Civil Servant.

” For instance, as a developer,it will cost me N5million to build a three bedroom bungalow in Kwara state except Abuja where the cost may be different. If each Civil Servant could contribute certain amount every years like I said, every years, houses are waiting for retired Civil Servants in the state.

The eldest son of late governor Muhammed Alabi Lawal added that he was fully prepared to contribute his quota to the development of the state.