According to a news report from the Kwara State Government Facebook Page, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's commitment to urban renewal and development in the agrarian Kwara hinterlands remains unwavering. The state executive council recently greenlit several road construction projects across different regions, building upon the recent rollout of 84.7 kilometers of rural roads.

In a significant move, the council approved the construction of Phase I of the Owu Fall Road—a project that will lead to the highest waterfall in West Africa. The Owu Fall stands at an impressive 120 meters above water level and cascades 330 feet down an escarpment. This development is not only a boost for tourism within the state but also positions Kwara as a key hub for recreation, tourism, and entertainment in Nigeria and the West Africa subregion.

The contract for this 11-kilometer phase was awarded to Messrs FIK Contracting and Engineering Ltd at a cost of N3,998,838,427.50, with an expected completion period of 18 months. When combined with the state's investments in tourism and conferencing facilities, this project underscores Kwara's vision for sustainable growth and development.

Additionally, the cabinet approved rehabilitation work on the 20-kilometer-long Arandun Township Roundabout-Esie-Oro Township Road. This initiative, entrusted to Obtuse Tec Engineering and Construction Ltd, aims to further enhance connectivity and socioeconomic opportunities in the Kwara hinterlands.

The council also approved the award of extensive works on the Ajase Ipo-Oke Iya road in Irepodun, spanning 12 kilometres, to Messrs Construction Products Nigeria Ltd at N2,256,879,187.50 for a period of eight months.

The council had also approved construction of Osin-Laduba Road, which connects Ilorin West to Asa local government area in the central senatorial district.

The cabinet also approved the construction of Oke Ogun community-Awolowo road in Ilorin South local government area, further easing travel time within the capital city.

The council also approved the construction of Aboto Oja-Alata Road in Asa, rehabilitation of Omu-Aran Oko Road in Irepodun, and completion of the Idera-Alabe section of the long-spanning Ile District road that had begun from Owode Ofaro, opening up the areas for improved commercial activities and boosting security in the Ifelodun axis of the state.

Chaired by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the council approved the projects following presentations by the Commissioner for Works and Transport Engr. AbdulQuawiy Olododo who also laid bare the procurement process that the Ministry had adhered to.

Rehabilitation works are meanwhile underway on the Ahmadu Bello Way, which connects the entire city centre to different government ministries, major economic facilities, state police command, state headquarters of the department of state security, Government House, and many other important institutions in the state.

Olododo told the council that timely rehabilitation of the road is important to catch up with its approaching good-by date as alligator cracks and minor potholes are beginning to emerge in parts of the artery road.

The council also authorised some rehabilitation and upgrade works on the Ilorin International Conference Centre (IICC) Roundabout-Sulu Gambari-Post Office Road, revving up the urban renewal efforts of the administration.

The council had earlier awarded consultancy work for feasibility studies and development of technical blueprint for the implementation of the 18,000 hectare-Ilorin Smart City to Messrs Arctual Concepts Limited at the cost of N1.4bn.

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.

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,” he said.

Dr. Ogunsola said 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."