Category: Infrastructure

The Kwara State Government, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has taken a systematic approach to developing the state as a major location for food processing and value chain addition. This vision was recently underlined when the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Oloruntoyosi Thomas, paid a visit to the “I-Need Rice Mill” at Elerinjare Ibobo Community, facilitated by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC). The visit highlighted the commitment of the state in changing the face of Kwara’s agricultural landscape through the promotion of local processing to reduce dependence on imported goods.

During her visit, Mrs. Thomas commended the “I-Need Rice Mill” for playing a vital role in the elevation of Kwara State’s agricultural profile. According to her, the government is strategically focusing on processing goods in the state in order to add value, stimulate local economies, and create jobs. “We are building a new Kwara, one which not only produces but also processes and adds value to our agricultural commodities, particularly rice,” she said. The commissioner emphasized that the status of Kwara as the leading producer of rice puts the state in a position to dominate the area of processing, hence guaranteeing the locals’ benefitting from locally produced and processed food.

Advancing Value Addition and Export Potential

The Commissioner also flagged the huge successes recorded by the “I-Need Rice Mill,” which has a 100-ton rice polishing machine and produces more than 2,000 bags of rice every day. He said this was in consonance with the state’s goals of reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing livelihoods along the agricultural value chain. Mrs. Thomas extolled the commitment of the mill to gender inclusion, as it involves women in its workforce, in line with Governor AbdulRazaq’s vision for empowerment and gender equality.

Mr. Tajudeen Olaoye from the NEPC praised the government’s advancements in agriculture and expressed the council’s dedication to promoting Kwara’s agricultural products for export. “Kwara State, under Governor AbdulRazaq, has made significant progress in farming, harvest, and food processing. Our goal is to support this progress, especially in rice processing, which holds great potential for national and global markets,” Olaoye noted.

The Chairman of I-Need Agro-Allied Investment Ltd., Mr. Sodiq Ibrahim, praised the government and NEPC for unrelenting support, saying it would continue showing its mission to contribute to Kwara development. His Royal Majesty, Oba Tajudeen Bello—Olaitan II—Olusabi of Elerinjare Ibobo, also applauded the state government’s commitment in agricultural development, community building, and promised continued investment in his community.

The facility tour, which includes the cassava processing unit, paddy rice storage, and rice processing plants, further explains the holistic approach by the government to ensure maximum exploitation of every aspect of the agricultural value chain. There is a new benchmark being set by Kwara State, away from raw material production and towards becoming the leading food processor and exporter in Nigeria—a move guaranteeing long-term economic growth and food security for the state.

Over a year ago, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, flagged off a gigantic urban renewal project in the Ilorin metropolis—a development that raised eyebrows among the populace, especially those whose properties were affected. These properties, many of which were built in contravention of environmental laws, had been ignored by past administrations, hence an unbridled urban sprawl ensued. But this administration was resolved to redevelop the city and went ahead, signaling an end to business as usual.

The urban renewal programme has since transformed areas like the Post Office, once a chaotic hub of hawkers, into a model of neatness and infrastructure. There have been major upgrades in the Challenge area, Ajase-Ipo road, and Taiwo road, including a new overhead bridge that has eased traffic congestion. The beautification and reconstruction of the inner roads have equally left the residents and visitors in awe of the metamorphosis of Ilorin, with many expressing amazement at visible changes during the festive season.

Citizens and Visitors Laud Ilorin’s Transformation

Visitors and residents have alike lauded the impressive infrastructure developments. Faith Awofadeju from Kano commended the improved road networks; Abiodun Babatunde from Ibadan expressed his amazement at the transformation of the Post Office area, saying new rules must be put in place to keep things in order; Engr. Onoja Olushola acknowledged the progress but urged the completion of the ongoing projects. Adebisi Sunday from Lagos also commended the government’s efforts despite economic challenges, appealing to motorists to be safety-conscious on the roads and the administration to continue the development drive.

Other visitors, like Femi Raphael from Abuja, noted the economic potential of the transformation and how it has changed the lives of citizens positively. Oyinloye Alex, from Port Harcourt, lauded the construction of new roads and flyovers but emphasized the need for their maintenance to ensure the sustenance of modernization in the city. The State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, assured the people that the government is committed to inclusive development, with so many road projects going on in different parts of the state.

Governor AbdulRazaq’s Vision for Kwara’s Future

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reiterated his administration’s determination to transform Kwara at the 59th National Conference of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, IEDPU, saying such projects as Ilorin Smart City and State University of Education did not only show an intention to build but also an intent to develop economically. He said with those monumental projects, Ilorin is now in the league of major capital cities in Nigeria.

The president of IEDPU, Dr. Alagbonsi, also praised the administration and called for more expansion to benefit Ilorin and the state at large. In line with this, from 2023, more than 190 projects were flagged off and are ongoing; the trend is that of long-term development by the administration. Citizens and visitors in the city, seeing its magnanimous transformation, hope that these steps will continue to attract another dimension of growth and development for Kwara State.