Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has flagged off the construction of the 15.15km Ojoku–Ilemona Road in Oyun Local Government Area, describing the project as another milestone in his administration’s effort to open up rural communities and boost economic activities across the state.
The governor said the new road complements his administration’s extensive investments in infrastructure, health, education, water supply, and social protection.
“We have delivered over 100 kilometres of road in Kwara South alone, aside from several others across different sectors. “In addition, we are constructing or about to award new road projects totalling about 109 kilometres in this region, including those under the RAAMP initiative,” he said.
The governor urged residents to support and take ownership of public infrastructure for sustainability.
The flag-off event coincided with the joint inspection of the Eiyenkorin -Afon- Ojoku -Offa Road by Governor Abdulrazaq, David Umahi, Minister of Works, and a delegation from BUA Group led by its Group Executive Director, Kabir Rabiu. The 42.6km concrete road, handled by BUA, links Kwara Central to Kwara South and Osun State within 30 minutes.
Both Abdulrazaq and Umahi commended the quality of work, with the Minister assuring that the road will last between 50 and 100 years.
During the visit, Governor Abdulrazaq reminded the Minister of the dualisation of the Ilorin -Lokoja Road, describing it as a priority project for the people of Kwara.
In a major development, the Minister’s delegation also announced that the Federal Government has approved the construction of a flyover at Oko Olowo – a long-awaited intervention expected to end years of fatal accidents along the busy corridor.
The governor further appealed to federal attention to the Share-Patigi Road and the Moro Bridge, which he described as critical to the economic integration of northern Kwara communities.
“We are glad to have this road. It’s part of the dividends of democracy and the renewed hope agenda. “We thank Mr. President for his commitment and policies. Inflation is going down, the exchange rate is firm and stable, and we are seeing progress.
“This road connects agrarian communities and will ease the movement of goods and services. Even though it is only 45% complete, traffic has already picked up. Earlier today, we also flagged off a new 15km road that links more communities and extends into Osun State.
“This road has existed since the 1960s as a mere footpath. BUA has turned it into a proper greenfield road. The impact is huge — it will open up the area for agriculture and investment. For instance, Olam is set to commission a $25 million soybean processing plant along this corridor, and more investors are coming,” the Governor said in a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, his chief press secretary.
In his remarks, Minister Umahi praised Governor Abdulrazaq’s leadership and unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu, assuring that the Ministry would consider Kwara’s priority projects in the next fiscal year.
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The Minister said: “This road was awarded on May 22, 2023, and construction began in September 2023. We commend President Tinubu for funding the project through the tax credit scheme and appreciate the Governor’s quiet but impactful work in the state. “We will work around your requests to support Kwara.”
Umahi added that the Ministry would return to the state next month for the Kwara stretch of the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway.
The Ojoku–Ilemona road flag-off was witnessed by lawmakers, cabinet members, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, senior government officials, and party leaders.
Abdulquawiy Olododo, Kwara Commissioner for Works, described the project as a corridor of growth that would transform lives and livelihoods in the axis.
“For decades, our people here have suffered poor road conditions that affected trade, healthcare access, education, and agriculture. This administration is changing that narrative,” Olododo said, assuring that the project will be executed to the highest standards.
In their separate remarks, the Elerin of Erin-Ile, Oba Adesoye Adebowale Jimoh, and the Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba Abdulrazaq Adegboyega Afolabi, lauded the Governor for his transformational agenda.
“Without good roads, there can be no meaningful development. With this, mobility and commerce will greatly improve,” the Elerin said.
The Olojoku, who also conferred on Abdulrazaq the traditional title of Aare Bobaselu of Ojoku, said the road will significantly reduce travel time from Ojoku to Ilemona and nearby towns while enhancing commerce and connectivity.
Johnson Bamidele Adewumi,
Convener of the Kwara South Development Initiative, thanked the Governor for his unprecedented infrastructure drive.
“Roads are as vital to communities as the backbone is to the human body. “When completed, this journey that currently takes hours will be reduced to minutes,” he stated.
Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin, APC chieftain, also commended the Governor’s commitment to legacy projects.
“You are doing so much for Kwara South, not for re-election, but for legacy. We are documenting these achievements for posterity,” he said.
