By YakubuAjadi
The Kwara State Government has been urged to establish a sub-radio station and TV in Baruten Local Government Area of the state in order to block the revenue leakages in the area going to neighboring country of Benin Republic.
A member representing Ilesha/Gwanara constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Umar Muhammed Gunu, made this known while speaking with newsmen in his office, he said the state is losing substantial revenue to the Republic of Benin due to their inability to gain access to media houses around that area.
He explained that they usually take their advertisement and programs to the Republic of Benin Radio Stations for the mere fact that they speak the same language.
According to him, the attention of the Kwara State Government is needed to block the leakage on its revenue through the establishment of Radio and Television sub-stations in Baruten Local Government area of the state.
Most of the communities that share borders with Kwara North area usually pass through stress by travelling back to Republic of Benin for business and banking transactions.
The chief whip also disclosed that the border lines are porous and underdeveloped as most of the residents travel to the Republic of Benin to carry out their various business transactions since their market atmosphere is more favorable and even closer to Nigeria.
Gunu expressed that there are several abandoned road projects in that area such as the Ilesha/Gwanara phase 1 and 11 which could have single-handedly boost and ease movement to and fro for people residing in that area.
He said the completion of that road would have translated into significant inter -state and country relationship with much benefit falling on our side.
Equally, the establishment of a radio and television station in that area would have equally raised their level of information, affiliations and sense of belonging.
He disclosed that most of the residents in that area are predominately farmers, but the bad road condition has been causing serious problem to them in the area of movement of their farms produce.
The legislature noted that similar problem occurred in Patigi local government where they listen to Niger based radio stations and also calls for the provision of both radio and TV station for prompts dissemination of information across nooks and cranny of the state.
He emphasized on the development of border lines in Kwara State, saying there is no major development across the border lines in the state, though there are development in other side but there is nothing in our own side here in Nigeria and it’s bothering our people and affecting our revenue base to a large extent.
He commended the efforts of the speaker over issue that concern Kwara border line administration such that translate into even development and increase in revenue collection.
