Kwara State Executive Council yesterday approved the new construction and rehabilitation of several road projects worth several millions of naira in different parts of the state.

A statement issued in Ilorin after the state executive council meeting and which was signed by the state Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bola Olukoju, stated that the gesture was in line with the present administration’s extensive renewal campaign and opening up of the agrarian hinterlands in the state.

The statement said that the approval of new roads construction came after the recent award of contract for the 87.4km rural roads in the state.

The statement stated that: “Among the approved roads contract include phase one of the road to the Owu Fall, the highest waterfall in West Africa measuring 120m above water level and cascading 330 feet down an escarpment, a major boost for tourism in not just the state but in Nigeria and West Africa subregion.

“The contract, covering 11 kilometres in this phase, was awarded to Messrs FIK Contracting and Engineering Limited at N3,998,838,427.50 for a completion period of 18 months.”

Placed alongside the government’s investment in tourism and conferencing facilities, the statement added that the project offered a glimpse into how Kwara State plans to become a major hub for recreation, tourism, and entertainment.

The cabinet also approved rehabilitation works on the 20km-long Arandun Township Roundabout-Esie-Oro Township Road to Obtuse Tec Engineering and Construction Limited at N3,821,594,765.63 for a completion period of 10 months, further opening up the state hinterlands for socioeconomic growth.

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 Limited at N2,256,879,187.50 for a period of eight months.

It 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, 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.