Kwara State’s urban renewal campaign and efforts to connect agrarian hinterlands continue to gain momentum as the state executive council approved several road construction projects across the state. The approvals come shortly after the government announced plans to roll out 84.7km of rural road projects.
One of the significant projects is the construction of Phase I of the road to the Owu Fall, the highest waterfall in West Africa. This phase covers 11 kilometres and is part of a broader strategy to boost tourism in Kwara State and the West Africa subregion. The contract was awarded to Messrs FIK Contracting and Engineering Ltd at N3,998,838,427.50, with a completion period of 18 months.
Additional road construction projects were approved, including the rehabilitation of the 20km-long Arandun Township Roundabout-Esie-Oro Township Road. This project, awarded to Obtuse Tec Engineering and Construction Ltd for N3,821,594,765.63, is expected to be completed within 10 months, opening up the Kwara hinterlands for economic growth.
The council also approved the construction of the Ajase Ipo-Oke Iya road in Irepodun, spanning 12 kilometres, awarded to Messrs Construction Products Nigeria Ltd at N2,256,879,187.50, with an eight-month completion timeline. Other approved projects include the construction of the Osin-Laduba Road, connecting Ilorin West to Asa local government area, and the Oke Ogun community-Awolowo road in Ilorin South local government area.
The rehabilitation of Ahmadu Bello Way, a critical road in the state, is underway. This road connects various parts of the city centre to government ministries, major economic facilities, and other important institutions.
The state government also approved consultancy work for feasibility studies and technical blueprint development for the 18,000-hectare Ilorin Smart City. This consultancy work, awarded to Messrs Arctual Concepts Limited for N1.4bn, includes environmental impact assessment, conceptual architectural and urban planning drawings, detailed land use master plan, among other things. The smart city project aims to provide a new frontier for sustainable expansion of the capital city and reduce pressure on the existing urban areas.
The extensive road construction and rehabilitation projects align with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s vision for a transformed and well-connected Kwara State. By improving infrastructure and opening up rural areas, the government hopes to stimulate economic activity, boost tourism, and create a more inclusive and prosperous state.
