Don’t Kill KWSCDA, Dr. Mrs. Mariam Tells Gov AbdulRahman
By Assoc. Prof. Mariam Salihu
KWSCDA: AN INTEGRATED SCHEME FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
If this allegation by the PDP turns out to be true, I will beg—on my knees—the stakeholders in the government to take decisive action against any plan to suffocate the agency.
I am specifically calling on all women in government, both elected and appointed, because we are the bedrock of societal development. I urge them to engage all relevant stakeholders and appeal to our ever-ready-to-listen Governor to use his office to empower the KWSCDA.
This is not about pleasing any political party but about protecting the common people in our communities and safeguarding future generations from repaying debts they never benefitted from.
KWSCDA is a World Bank-supported community-based development scheme, offering loans at less than 5% interest, with a repayment period of 20 years. The program is designed to ensure infrastructure reaches every community through a 10% contribution in cash, materials, or logistics. It is a soft loan, repaid with minimal burden, and has been successfully used by several states to develop their rural communities. However, because contracts under this scheme are not inflated and the government may not directly control them, certain individuals might show little interest in sustaining the agency. Nevertheless, a patriotic and development-focused government should support such an initiative, especially when it provides access to affordable financing.
This scheme was effectively utilized by Governor Mimiko to secure the love of his people. Many states have used it to develop rural water supply, roads, market stalls, education, healthcare, and electricity.
The real issue is that, as a Federal Government-backed program, all citizens contribute to repaying the loan—whether or not their state participates—through the annual ₦100 million counterpart fund.
While agencies like SUBEB and other health-related programs have contributed to various sectors, KWSCDA is a community-based and integrated project, funded 90% by the World Bank. Each participating community, upon fulfilling the 10% contribution requirement, can access up to ₦100 million in funding.
For example, the first transformer ever installed in Gerewu village was acquired through the KWSCDA scheme. Oke-Iya benefited from a water reticulation project, providing multiple fetching points. Several health centers, classrooms in Idofian, and other critical infrastructure across various communities were made possible through this initiative.
Let us collectively add value at the grassroots level. Many people have no business coming to Ilorin to admire bridges, hotels, or amusement parks. What they need are basic infrastructures—classrooms, borehole water, and health centers—to become functional members of society.
Associate Professor Mariam Salihu calls on all citizens to keep KWSCDA working.
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