By Kayode Abdulazeez, Ilorin
Socio-economic and infrastructural development remains a pressing concern for the enlightened indigenes of Kwara North Senatorial District, a region long vocal not only about governance and inclusion but also about the equitable distribution of development across Kwara State.
Beyond the recurring call for a power shift, residents of the district have continued to express deep concern over the underutilisation of the area’s vast arable land and abundant mineral resources, which, if properly harnessed, could transform the economic fortunes of its industrious population.
For years, many have attributed the slow pace of development in Kwara North to the lack of sustained governmental attention and investment by successive administrations.
However, a new question now dominates political and development conversations across the district.
Is the narrative beginning to change under the current All Progressives Congress (APC)–led government of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq?
Infrastructure: Access Roads are the backbone of the transportation system and a good road is important to the economic growth of any area, because they make other social services accessible. This is the reason why Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) number 9 emphasizes physical access through improvement of rural roads; Industry, innovation and infrastructure (UNDP, 2015).
This is one of the major drivers for achieving some of the other SDGs such as; ending poverty in all its forms. Therefore the importance of rural access roads extends to all aspects of economic and social development of rural communities in Kwara North.
Examining the impact of the 130km linking three local government areas: Bode Sadu in Moro local government to Kaiama in Kaiama local government to Kosubosu in Baruten local government and the 83 km Bacita-Shonga-Lafiagi highway and the 32 Km Okuta-Bukuro Road which connects to the Benin Republic.
Although, these projects and others are being awarded to the BUA group of companies under the federal government infrastructure tax credit scheme (Executive Order 7) but it would not have been possible if not the strong commitment of Governor AbdulRahman to open up the senatorial district for smooth transportation and economic prosperity.
On the awarding of the listed road projects Governor AbdulRazaq thanked the Federal Government and BUA Group, and commended the beneficiary communities for their patience.
Quoting the governor on the approval of the project by the Federal Government “We thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for this landmark approval and commended BUA for keying into the laudable initiative which is undoubtedly geared towards further opening up the state for economic growth.
“We promised to offer all the necessary support to make the projects come through for the benefit of our people”.
From Kwara, one can be in the Republic of Benin in less than three hours after the road is completed. It is going to open up Nigeria’s economy with the Republic of Benin, to the ECOWAS sub-region, especially with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
The road project will lessen travel time from Kwara to Niger and Oyo states with numerous farming communities going to have easy and affordable transportation of their produce to many cities such as Ilorin, Offa, Ibadan, and Lagos to sell their goods.
Not only that, Kwara North is also blessed with various mineral resources deposited on its land and this road network will ease the movement of trucks in that sector.
Speaking on the importance of the Bode-Sadu/Kaiama/Kosubosu road, Magaji of Alagbon-Odetunde community, a suburb of Bode-Sadu Alh. Ahmadu Ayinde said the road had made life easier for them and opened up their community to economic growth.
“Before the construction of this road, we could hardly get to Bode-Sadu a town not far distance to us not to talkless of transporting our farm produce to market in large quantities, but now we are more than happy to have this well-constructed access road and we can now easily transport our goods to markets in either Bode-Sadu, Kaiama or Ilorin, the state capital.
“Cars do not often pass through our community before now, but after the government started the road, we now have more vehicular movements and our community is now bustling.
“We appreciate the government and our Governor for the intervention, we want people to come and invest in our community”, the mogaji said.
Also speaking, a trader identified herself as Mrs. Kudirat Abdulfatai, who stated that she had been a resident in the community for over seven years.
“Before the road construction, that linked our community, transportation to the market was N1000, but now it costs N500 to and from the market.
“We really appreciate the government for remembering us, for allowing a major road to pass through our community”, she said.
These landmark road projects do not in any way stop other numerous intra-community road projects embarked on across the five local government areas in the senatorial district all to enhance the socio-economic development of the people and community connectivity.
Governor AbdulRahman’s milestones in Kwara North are not limited to roads, he also built a Shea Butter factory in Kaiama, an ICT Hub in Shonga, and the remodeling of Patigi Regatta Motel to international standards.
The three listed major projects will be commissioned soon according to the information made available to the pressmen by the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun.
She revealed that the 50-ton Shea Butter Factory in Kaiama has attained the equipment testing stage and will soon be commissioned, assuring that the factory will enhance the state’s export potential, empower local farmers and producers, and significantly contribute to industrial development in Kwara State.
Similarly, Hon. Adelodun disclosed that the Rehabilitation and Remodeling of the Patigi Regatta Motel is 80% completed, with tiling works ongoing and completion expected before December 2025 while the ICT Hub in Shonga, Kwara North, has been fully completed and is currently at the equipment installation and electrical phase.
“These projects are strategically designed to accelerate industrialization, drive innovation, and stimulate sustainable economic growth in Kwara”.
