By Zarumi Mashood
Motorists have been assured that with the quality of work being carried out, the Eiyenkorin-Afon-Ojoku-Offa Road should last between 50 and 100 years.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Works David Umahi when he carried out an inspection of the project along with the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and a delegation of the BUA Conglomerate led by its Group Executive Director Alhaji Kabir Rabiu — the contractor of the 42.6km road that links Kwara Central to South and Osun State within 30 minutes.
The Governor and Umahi commended the quality of the road with AbdulRazaq reminding the Minister of the dualisation of the Ilorin-Lokoja Road, saying the project is dear to the people of the state.
The Governor also received cheery news from the Minister’s delegation that the Federal Government has approved a flyover at Oko Olowo, potentially ending years of deadly accident in the busy corridor.
Governor AbdulRazaq also reminded the Minister of the Share-Patigi Road as well as the Moro Bridge — two projects he said are also very dear to him and to the people of the state.
“We are glad to have this road. This is part of what you call the dividends of democracy, dividends of the renewed hope agenda.
“We thank Mr. President for his commitment, for his policies. His policies are already yielding results. This is part of the results of the economic policy that he implemented. Now, the new tax policies will kick in early next year, and we’ll see a lot of movement in that direction, too. Inflation is going down. The exchange rate is firm, stable, and also going down. We see progress.
“This road opens up a lot of communities, agrarian communities, and movement of goods and services. In fact, traffic has settled on this road, even though it’s just about 45% complete. There’s huge traffic already. On our part, we just flagged off the construction of a new road this morning, a 15-kilometer road to feed into other communities and also lead into Osun State. So, we’re glad you’re here to inspect this project, and we’re glad with the work BUA is doing on this road and also on the Bode-Saadu-Kaiama-Kosubosu Road which you’re going to see now.
“We spoke earlier about the issue of Moro Bridge, Share – Patigi Road, and also the prospect of looking at 2026 budget for the dualization of Ilorin-Lokoja Road. You recall that the governor of Kogi State and I visited you in your office to look into that project. It’s an ongoing thing. We will continue to push to see how we can have that in the 2026 budget. So, as you move around the state, we welcome you to Kwara and the hospitality of Kwara. But we’re truly happy with this road, and we must commend you for the energy you’re taking to do this thing.
“This road has been there since the 60s. It was much more of a footpath. It’s really a footpath. So, it’s now a green road, basically. Greenfield Road. BUA just bulldozed everything and created a new road here.
“All these areas will open up to agriculture. Investors are already coming in. You can see down the road, Olam is about to commission a $25 million soybean processing plant just down the road there. So, the other companies have started to come in. And this road is a catalyst for development.”
Umahi, who commended the Governor’s consistent support for President Tinubu and his leadership of the NGF, said he would look at the projects in the coming fiscal year.
He said the road was awarded on 22nd May, 2023 and started in September 2023, commending the commitment of the President to fund the project through the tax credit scheme.
He lauded the quality of the concrete road, which he said would last between 50 and 100 years.
“We are similarly proud of what Your Excellency is doing in the state without much noise. We thank your leadership and your support for President Tinubu. I assure you that we will do what you want. We will work around it to support you,” he said.
He also said the Ministry will be in Kwara next month for the Kwara stretch of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.
