Barely 10 days after The Informant247 published a report on how the failed 6 billion naira Light-Up Project has worsened insecurity and crippled businesses in the Kwara, the state government has begun the renovation of street lights in Ilorin, the state capital.
The published report, produced with the support of the Civic Media Lab, revealed how the project launched in 2017 by the former Governor of the state, Ahmed Abdulfatai, failed to reach its potential.
The project involved a technical agreement with Riccofortezza Steven Energy Limited and Rubitec Power Limited. The deal was to implement the Operation Light-Up-Kwara (LUK) project—an initiative aimed at powering major roads in Kwara with solar street lights.
Based on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, the project had several objectives, including enhancing security, job creation, boosting businesses, facilitating technology and skill transfer, and extending commerce hours for traders.
It was gathered that the state government initially committed no funds to the project but planned to repay the contractor over 10 years. Besides, the project included a 10-year maintenance agreement.
But, six years later, the project is yet to fulfill its objective. Streetlights have ceased functioning, leaving major parts of the Ilorin metropolis in darkness, and for those that functioned, it worked temporarily.
However, barely 10 days after the report was published, we can now confirm that repair works have started on street lights along the Challenge road to Government house to Ahmadu Bello way through to Tanke Junction, and Fate road.
Some of the existing street lights were removed and are being repainted, with the underground connections also being repaired.
In an effort to confirm the status of the intervention and provide a clear reaction to the report published, The Informant247 reached out to the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Energy.
When asked whether it us the continuation of the Kwara Light-Up Project or a new one, the Press Secretary, Barakat Abdulrasheed said, “I don’t know, but as you can see, it is an ongoing project definitely funded by the State government.”
When asked whether the renovation work will spread across the Ilorin metropolis or not, she stated, “I don’t know. I am not the one they awarded the contract to, and I am not the one handling the project.”
“If you need any information, you can go to the Ministry and confirm from those people in charge—if they can give you, they will give you. I don’t have the information,” said the Press Secretary, who stressed that the project is not yet publicized, and it is not complete yet.