Kwara approves new road construction, infrastructure projects for statewide development

The Kwara State Government has approved a series of road construction and infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing urban renewal and connecting the state’s agrarian hinterlands

The decisions were taken during the state executive council meeting held on Wednesday, chaired by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bola Olojoki, one of the key projects is the construction of Phase I of the road leading to Owu Fall, the tallest waterfall in West Africa, standing 120 meters above sea level and cascading 330 feet down an escarpment.

Commissioner stated that the contract was awarded to Messrs FIK Contracting and Engineering Ltd for N3,998,838,427.50, and it is expected to be completed within 18 months.

The project, according to Olojoku, is a major step towards promoting tourism and recreational activities in Kwara State, aligning with the government’s strategy to make the state a hub for tourism and entertainment.

The statement added that the council also approved the rehabilitation of the Arandun Township Roundabout-Esie-Oro Township Road, a 20-kilometer stretch that will improve accessibility to the Kwara hinterlands, fostering greater economic opportunities.

Olojoku hinted that the project was awarded to Obtuse Tec Engineering and Construction Ltd for N3,821,594,765.63, and has a completion timeline of 10 months.

Additionally, Olojoki stated that the council approved the construction of the Ajase Ipo-Oke Iya Road, a 12-kilometer project in Irepodun, awarded to Construction Products Nigeria Ltd at a cost of N2,256,879,187.50, with an expected completion within eight months.

The statement obtained by The Informant247 noted that other approved road projects include the Osin-Laduba Road, the Oke Ogun-Awolowo Road in Ilorin South, and the Aboto Oja-Alata Road in Asa, further connecting various regions of Kwara State and facilitating easier travel and commerce.

Rehabilitation work has, however, begun on the Ahmadu Bello Way, a major artery road connecting the city center to key government buildings, state police headquarters, and other critical locations.

The statement has it that the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. AbdulQuawiy Olododo, informed the council that this timely intervention is to prevent further deterioration of the road, which has started to show signs of wear and tear.

Furthermore, Olojoku stated that the council approved a consultancy contract for the development of the 18,000-hectare Ilorin Smart City project, awarded to Messrs Arctual Concepts Limited at the cost of N1.4 billion.

The commsioner continues that the smart city, a district modelled after some modern cities in the world, is an offshoot of the Ilorin City Master Plan which the administration designed as an upgrade to the first Ilorin Master Plan drawn up in the 1970s.

According to the statement, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Dr. Segun Ogunsola told the council that the consultancy work entails development of the Ilorin Smart City Project Information Memorandum; environmental impact assessment; conceptual architectural and urban planning drawings; detailed land use master plan; among many others.

“In view of the size of the proposed new district, the quantum of resources that would be required and the high-level technicalities that the idea entails, it is necessary to appoint a consultant to midwife the idea and provide professional advisory services and consultancy for smooth, cost effective and seamless implementation of the project,” Ogunsola said.

Dr. Ogunsola was also quoted to have said that the Ilorin Smart City will be situated north of the University of Ilorin and south of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, providing a new frontier for sustainable expansion of the capital city and taking away excessive pressure from the capital town.

“It shall have all the facilities and social amenities required to make a modern city function, including educational facilities, healthcare services centres, commercial services facilities, potable water, power supply infrastructure and good road network,” he said. “Ample provisions would be made for the construction of different scales of housing development, golf course, polo club, and other recreational as well as sporting facilities.”