By Ahmed ‘Lateef
In Kwara State, this day will be chronicled in the book of history. For Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the occupant on the seat of power at Ahmadu Bello House, GRA, Ilorin, today is not just like every other day.
To a socialite, the day should ordinarily be accompanied with pomp and pageantry with elaborate party for family members, friends, associates, admirers and well wishers, all geared toward commemorating it because of the significance of the date of birth in one’s lifetime.
But AbdulRazaq, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), is a man in a class of his own, who has been widely acclaimed as a leader who prefers actions to speak than words of mouth. This may have accounted for why he is described as a man of few words.
Though today marks his 65th Birthday in his earthly sojourn, the Governor, through the policies and programmes of his administration, especially Urban Renewal Initiative, has carved a niche for himself. He appears to have held onto the principle of people first in all his dealings as the Primus Inter Pares in the governance of the over 57 years old State of Kwara.
Notwithstanding the pain that attended the implementation of his urban renewal programme to some people, AbdulRazaq is convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the primary responsibility of any government is safety and security of the people, and to him the best bet is to take and own a decision in good time rather than needless procrastination on the altar of political profiteering.
Unwillingness or lack of the will power to implement bold reforms in the past, for fear of the backlash and adverse effects on popularity of government among the people, made many proposals to be gathering dust in the shelves of a number of public establishments. It has been said in one of the wise sayings that “to be righteous, one has to step on toes”.
And this the Governor is pursuing vigorously with the ultimate goal that its impact would be beneficial to all in the long run. It is an open secret that some major areas, with walkways for pedestrians, within the Ilorin metropolis, were turned to unauthorized market places, that pedestrians who the walkways were meant for, found it difficult to walk through.
In areas such as Sulu-Gambari, Post-Office, Challenge, ‘A’ Division and Unity also known as Abdulwahab Folawiyo, traders displayed goods and wares at will with little or no regard for the right of way for pedestrians that the facility was primarily designed to serve.
The unwholesome attitude distorted the rationale behind the original master plan of the state government, coupled with the influx of people into the city for different purposes; academic pursuits, security, trade and other services among others.
What seems to be the worst of it all is the culture of erecting structures around fences of schools, particularly in Ilorin metropolis where even Disc Jockey among others, hitherto caused noise pollution to the serene environments required for quality learning and assimilation.
It is not in doubt that the Governor, since assumption of office, has taken giant steps to address infrastructural deficits in all spheres of governance including urban renewal programme, road, health and rural development among others.
*URBAN RENEWAL INITIATIVE
This is a major step that the state government has taken to gradually restore Ilorin to its original master plan with the demolition of structures or kiosks that were built illegally.
Lending credence to this was the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), Abdulkareem Sulyman, at the recent inter-ministerial briefing that offered insight into issues surrounding urban renewal programme of the state.
He explained that the ongoing reclamation exercise of government setbacks around public offices and institutions in the state is purely a federal government directive to curb insecurity in the country.
“The reclamation of setbacks along major roads in the state capital is done by the state government. The exercise would cut across all the sixteen local government areas of the state.
“Under the period being reviewed, Governor AbdulRazaq has acquired 3000 hectares of land at Malete, in Moro Local Government Area of the State for livestock production, while the payment of compensation has reached 70 per cent completion. Another 2000 hectares of land were also acquired for the industrial park along Ilorin/Ogbomoso road, the compensation would be paid in due course”, he said.
Sulyman added that preliminary activities have been concluded on the 19,000 hectares of land earmarked for the Ilorin Smart City project saying, “the ongoing reform that led to the collation and harmonisation of all agencies dealing in lands related matters and transition from analogue to digital lands operation will minimise bottlenecks and enhance efficiency and curtail the activities of land grabbers”.
*ROAD NETWORK
In the last couple of months, the Ilorin, the capital city has worn a new look with the upgrading of roads that now make the roads motorable and pliable for would be owners of cars and others alike. The recent intervention transcended time past that was characterized by mere rehabilitation.
The state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr Abdulquawiy Olododo, during an interface with Journalists a few weeks ago, announced the completed and ongoing projects across the state, many of which were designed in line with the government’s urban renewal programme.
Olododo said Kwara State Road Management Traffic Authority (KWARTMA), under the supervision of his office, has evacuated traders around Post-Office and Challenge in Ilorin metropolis among others, saying that their activities often caused obstruction to free vehicular movement within the axis.
He added that the restriction placed on commerical transporters from plying Ahmadu Bello Way, GRA, Ilorin was to ensure sanity and security of the road, pointing out that passengers coming to government offices or any other on Ahmadu Bello Way could come, alight through some nearby routes and take a walk to their destinations.
The commissioner noted that as difficult as the policy might be for some residents, it would also be in their own interest to walk for a healthy living as experts had recommended.
He disclosed that the flyover bridge at ‘A’ Division of the state Police Command has been completed and now await commissioning.
Olododo told the briefing that 38 major projects were completed, while 46 are currently in progress during the fourth quarter under review, just as he added construction is ongoing on 209.77 kilometers of rural roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
Commending Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s exceptional leadership, the commissioner described his commitment to infrastructure and urban renewal as transformative.
He stated that the governor’s vision is not about building physical structures but creating opportunities, boosting economic activities, and improving the quality of life for the citizenry.
“Governor AbdulRazaq’s investment in road construction, urban renewal, and transportation has set Kwara on a trajectory of sustainable development. His administration’s approach has brought a new lease of life to communities across the state, bridging gaps in infrastructure and opening up rural areas to economic opportunities”, the commissioner said.
While speaking on the state government’s compressed natural gas (CNG) efforts, Olododo assured Kwarans of the better days ahead.
He said, “In line with the administration’s commitment to cleaner energy, the state government has keyed into the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNG-I), resulting in the delivery of 20 18-seater shuttle buses and 20 tricycles to bolster the public transport system at affordable rates for residents”.
Olododo also noted that other ongoing partnerships on compressed natural gas (CNG) would further enhance the state’s transition to cleaner energy while creating jobs for residents.
“This is to say that Governor AbdulRazaq’s projects are not just physical structures; they are monuments of hope and symbols of a better tomorrow for all Kwarans”, he said.
Other sectors including health, education and social development among others also received the attention of the state government with building of schools in urban and rural areas and construction and rehabilitation of public health facilities across the state.
The recent opening of the Osi Campus of the Kwara State University, Malete with the commencement of academic session, following its completion, also drew the applause of even the opposition that Governor AbdulRazaq has truly lived to the expectations of the people of the state, who willingly entrusted him with their mandate since May 29, 2019 that he assumed the reign of governance.
With his catalogue of achievements and breakthroughs where others were unable, the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate is truly blazing the trail, particularly now that he is basking in the euphoria of another year on this day.
