Kwara govt completes 120km roads in two years —Commissioner

Kwara State Government has said that it has completed at least 120 kilometres of roads between 2023 and now, apart from hundreds of kilometres of roads that are ongoing.

Speaking at the Kwara State Citizens’ Engagement for the 2026 budget in Asa Local Government Area on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for Works, Engineer Abdulquawiy Olododo, said the performance was different from the 294 kilometres tax credit roads of the Federal Government, which he said Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq personally facilitated for the state.

The governor’s aide said that the engagement offers residents a platform to discuss their needs with the government.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who attended the session along with lawmakers and cabinet members from Kwara Central Senatorial District, described it as a modest way of ensuring adequate representation and participation of citizens in the financial document.

Held in Afon, Asa Local Government, the event attracted key stakeholders from across Asa, Ilorin West, Ilorin East, and Ilorin South Local Governments.

“We are here for the second of the three-legged citizens’ engagement on the 2026 budget. This is for the people of Kwara Central to have their input in the next budget cycle,” the Governor said.

“The first of the engagements had been held with the people of Kwara North at Bode Sa’adu in Moro Local Government last week Tuesday. The third and final leg will hold at Ilemona in Oyun Local Government for the people of Kwara South on Thursday, 4 September 2025.

“The whole idea of the Citizens’ Engagement is to further democratise the budget preparation process in line with global best practices of transparency and inclusion.”

He said the administration has taken the budget beyond the annual rituals by ensuring that it is implemented to have a positive impact on the lives of the people.

This, he added, is exemplified in the numerous result-oriented programmes and projects embarked upon since the administration came on board in 2019.

“Over the past years, we have made significant progress in infrastructural development, healthcare services, job creation, food security, human capital development, etc. This underscores our commitment to the welfare of the good people of Kwara State,” he said.

“These achievements were possible because of the ideas and feedback that we received from citizens during our previous engagements.

“Notwithstanding the challenges of governance, our resolve will be to beat our own record of good and impactful governance.”

The governor received inputs from the stakeholders, including local government chairmen and community leaders, who offered suggestions on the specific needs of the people.

The stakeholders also commended the administration on its impactful projects, empowerment programmes, and political appointments in the region.

Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Mary Arinde, said the event attests to the Governor’s belief that citizens’ voices matter in policy formation and budget preparation and implementation.

“His Excellency has made it a state policy to engage with citizens through different platforms, including town hall meetings. This is to ensure that our budget estimates and policies are informed by the needs and perspectives of every segment of society,” she said.

Asa Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya, thanked Abdulrazaq for the landmark achievements of his administration and the access given to all Kwarans to participate in the decision-making process.

He appealed to the Governor to support the council in opening up more rural roads.

Chairman of the Kwara House Committee on Water, representing Afon Constituency, Hon Yunus Oniboki, said works are ongoing at Alapa Waterworks, Budo Egba Integrated Water Project, and Panpo Water Project.

He lauded the government’s efforts to improve the communities’ access to potable water.

Hon. Arinola Lawal of Ilorin East Constituency commended the Governor for his commitment to people-focused development, as evidenced by the quality and spread of projects across the state.

Hon. Rukayat Shittu of Owode/Onire Constituency praised the administration’s achievements in women empowerment and gender inclusion, citing her emergence as the youngest female legislator in Nigeria.

Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said no government has surpassed Abdulrazaq’s record in the education sector, commending him for making history.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Afees Abolore Alabi, appreciated the Governor’s support for farmers and his passionate efforts in transforming the agricultural sector. He also acknowledged the administration’s interventions in many parts of Ilorin East Local Government and presented additional demands, including the development of road networks in the hinterlands.

Commissioner for Works, Engr Abdulquawiy Olododo, stated that the administration has completed at least 120 kilometres of roads between 2023 and now, in addition to hundreds of kilometres still ongoing.

“This is different from the 294 kilometres of tax credit roads of the Federal Government, which the Governor personally facilitated for the state,” he added.

Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Shehu Raheem Adaramaja, lauded the Governor for sectoral achievements in healthcare, road networks, water, and education.

“There is no political ward in Asa Local Government that has not benefitted from some form of empowerment programme or developmental project impacting lives under the Governor,” Adaramaja said. He also requested the rehabilitation or upgrade of Alapa and Aboto markets, noting that this would promote commerce and the economic fortunes of the localities.

Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Abdullateef Gidado, commended Abdulrazaq for his inclusive and transformational leadership.

“Since your campaign in 2018 in Asa, your vision for our development has been clear, deliberate, and well articulated. We celebrate Your Excellency for making our voices count and for making us feel important once more,” he said, requesting the government to construct more inter-community roads.

Alhaji Issa Amosa, a party leader in Asa, assured the Governor of the unflinching support of the people of Asa, praying for God’s guidance in all his endeavours.

Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Salman Jawondo (SAN), commended the Governor’s record of performance, noting how it has greatly improved the lives of citizens. He urged the government not to rest on its laurels in ensuring progress in electricity generation and transmission, as well as mining.

Engineer Musa Yeketi highlighted the Governor’s efforts to realise a new Kwara State and noted the house-to-house distribution of palliatives by the administration, which brought significant relief to many communities in Asa.

Daudu Afon, Alhaji Anafi Kolapo, said Afon District continues to struggle with poor electricity supply and urged the government to address it, alongside other requests.

Alhaji Shamsideen Aregbe, Director of Budget, stated that the administration achieved 90.6% budget performance in 2024 based on actual revenue, the highest by any recent administration in the state.

He noted that capital expenditure formed a larger portion of the budget performance, underscoring the government’s commitment to infrastructural development.

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