Kwara state is set for the unveiling of its Capital City Master plan, come Wednesday 11, May, according to the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Geographical Information System, Kw-GIS, Abdulmutallab A Shittu.
Disclosing this today Friday to newsmen in Ilorin, the Kw-GIS boss said that the new city Master plan is in fulfilment of the campaign promise made by the governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
According to him, putting the plan into motion took a meticulous and rigorous process and they were guided by Africa’s number one city planner, Dar Alhandasah.
The agency will be putting before the public a draft of the said master plan next Wednesday.
“This is an exciting development for both the people and the Government of Kwara State.
“The new master plan looks ahead to reposition the city for the next 20 years with deliberate coverage of trade and investment, healthcare, transportation, residential cities, tourism, agriculture and education among other things.
“It sufficiently outlines the challenges and prospects, including action plans for sustainable development of the state,” Abdulmutallab said.
He also said that the plan is expected to take care of perennial flooding in the metropolis, as well as strong windstorm and other natural phenomenon, adding that proper survey of flood-prone areas in the city had been studied.
“Ilorin is growing with about 3.5 million population and there is the need to plan for that future growth.
The master plan would be, historically the second since the creation of Kwara State. The first was designed in 1976 and expired 21 years ago.
According to Kw-GIS, “the plan was long overdue to address the issues of a growing population in Ilorin, plans for road expansion, wastage disposal/management and other aspects that make safe and decent human living possible.
To design it according to reality and global standards, the state government appointed the services of Dar Al-Handasah consultant ltd in February 2021, they set out immediately by In-Field data collection and stakeholders Engagement, Population estimates and projections, Urban and Rural conditions, Institutional Framework and Social Infrastructure as well as Economic baseline and emerging prospects for the capital city.
“It is inclusive and encompassing. The master plan will be handy for development partners, and local and foreign investors, putting Kwara as the go-to place in North Central and Nigeria for investments and partnerships,” he added.
Speaking further on the role of his company Richard Walker, project manager, Dar Alhandasah said that its work on Ilorin took into consideration the peculiarities of working in Nigeria.
Aside from working in Dubai, involved in building the New Cairo, Egypt, the company has worked in Ibadan and Lagos.
“Policymaking and implementation in my country and Africa are quite different. But we are fully acclimatised to the system”
He explained that all these were put into consideration while designing the Ilorin City Master Plan.
