The Minister of National Planning, Abubakar Sulaiman, on Tuesday expressed concern over the deplorable state of infrastructure in Kwara, especially in Kwara South Senatorial district.

The minister made this known in Offa while addressing supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at a reception organised in his honour during his familiarisation visit to Kwara South.

The reception was organised by KW G3- an organisation advocating for positive change in Kwara politics.

KW G3 is headed by Tunde Babalola an indigene of the area.

Mr. Sulaiman said from what he saw on ground while driving through Ajasse Ipo -Offa Road, it was clear that the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government in the state had neglected Offa.

He said that it took him 25 minutes to drive from Ilorin to Ajasse Ipo while he spent over 45 minutes to drive from Ajasse Ipo to Offa.

He wondered why the state government neglected the Ajasse Ipo-Offa Road considering the position of Offa in Kwara politics.

He said that though the road was a Federal Government road, nothing stopped the state government from rehabilitating it and presenting the bill to the Federal Government for payment.

"Many states in the country carried out rehabilitation works on federal roads because it is the people of those states that are using the roads, " he said.

The minister promised that the Ajasse Ipo-Offa-Erin-Ile Road would be included in the 2015 budget and rehabilitated by the federal government.

Mr. Sulaiman also decried the deplorable condition of schools when he visited his Alma Mater, Bala Community Secondary School in Asa Local Government Area of the state.

He said "It is time to have true government in Kwara, especially given the APC's poor performance in Offa, Ijagbo, Ekiti, and in other areas of the state".

He urged the people of the state to query owners of assets such as Harmony Holdings, Shoprite Shopping Mall, Shonga Farm Holdings, operating under the auspices of public-private partnership.

The minister also urged them to find out from the leaders of the APC those who owned majority shares in Harmony Diagnostic Centre.

He promised that PDP led government in the state would provide jobs and rehabilitate dilapidated infrastructure.

Earlier, Mr. Babalola, who coordinated the reception, appealed to PDP aspirants in the state to support whoever emerges at the party's primaries in order not to destabilise the party.

He solicited the support of the people to enable the PDP win the 2015 general elections in the state.

(NAN)