By Dare Akogun
In a bid to foster infrastructural development, the Kwara State Government has procured vast land spanning across Ilorin East and South Local Government Areas for the establishment of the new Ilorin Smart City Estate.
This announcement was made by the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS), ESV Abdulkareem Babatunde Sulyman, during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Zulu Gambari (CON), at his palace in Ilorin, the state capital.
Sulyman commended the royal father for his exemplary leadership in piloting the affairs of the Ilorin metropolis and its environs.
He expressed that the purpose of the visit was to inform the Emir of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s initiative to acquire approximately 20,065 hectares of land in Ilorin East and South Local Government Areas for the establishment of the new Ilorin Smart City Estate.
According to Sulyman, the envisioned Smart City will host modern facilities such as schools, hospitals, markets, police stations, fire services, stadiums, and other social amenities. Additionally, it will accommodate the 1000 Federal Renewed Hope Housing Estates and facilitate the development of the phase two Industrial Park, among other infrastructure projects.
The Chairman assured that the project, once operational, would generate employment opportunities for the state’s youth population.
He also announced that landowners would be duly compensated and urged them to submit their claims to the KW-GIS office for collation.
ESV Sulyman solicited the Emir’s full support in sensitizing the public through traditional chiefs to garner support for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s development agenda.
In response, the Emir of Ilorin expressed his full endorsement of the project and pledged to engage with relevant traditional chiefs to rally support. He offered prayers for the success of Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration and the prosperity of the state.
The Emir emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving landmark successes and urged unity among stakeholders for the progress of Kwara State.
