The Kwara State House of Assembly has taken decisive steps to regulate cooperative societies and improve electricity supply in the state.

During Tuesday’s plenary, the Assembly urged the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology to clamp down on unregistered cooperative societies operating without legal backing. The call followed a motion by Hon. Odetundun Olushola (Irepodun Constituency), who expressed concern over the rising number of informal cooperatives and the risks they pose to citizens’ savings and investments.

“There is a growing number of cooperative societies in Kwara, but many of them operate without any legal backing. This puts the savings and investments of our people at great risk,” Olushola warned.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, while announcing the House’s resolutions, emphasized the need for a transparent and accessible registration process to encourage more cooperatives to formalize their operations.

Co-sponsor of the motion, Hon. Lawal Ayanshola Saliu (Ipaye/Malete/Oloru Constituency), stressed the importance of public awareness on the benefits of dealing with registered cooperatives.

Lawmakers also appealed to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to mandate the Ministry of Communication and local radio stations to promote only licensed and credible financial institutions as part of efforts to protect citizens from fraudulent schemes.

In a related development, the Assembly read for the first time the Kwara State Electric Power Sector Bill. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen the state’s energy infrastructure by supporting independent power projects in generation, transmission, and distribution.

The bill, according to lawmakers, is expected to drive economic growth and expand access to reliable electricity across the state.