Kwara Unveils Ambitious Ilorin Master Plan, Launches Smart City

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq says the Ilorin Master plan is designed to guide how we live sustainably for the next 40 years while the Smart City is an innovative response to the multidimensional challenges of urban living that now confront Ilorin, including congestion and the associated pressures it brings on the existing infrastructure.

Speaking on Wednesday at the unveiling of the duo, Gov AbdulRazaq said the Smart City, which is designed to host 540,000 residents, is a nine residential district city built in compliance with the United Nations prescriptions for urban living.

“Comprising a business district, an enterprise zone, industrial park, and three commercial districts, among others, the city spans 20,000 hectares and features 15% green space provisioning and 50 square metres of green space per individual.

“The first phase of this ambitious project covers 11,000 hectares with an estimated N1.72tr funding requirements from public private investments between now (2024) and 2027. I urge everyone to pick a copy of the development plan for a better understanding of its components. To achieve this vision, sacrifices will be made, but they are worth it.

“My team and I are proud to have laid this solid foundation for a future of sustainable living for the people of Kwara State.

“But we cannot do this alone. This is therefore planned to run on the back of public private partnership (PPP). We invite private investors who would put our people at the centre of their engagement with us, ensuring that the Ilorin Smart City is built using the blueprint of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) framework,” Gov AbdulRazaq said.

Earlier, the SSA on Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS), Abdulmutalib
Shittu had described the occasion as an epoch making event.

He reminded the gathering that, “this is the second ever Masterplan in the history of Kwara state since 1974 and the unveiling of the ilorin smart city project.”
 
He disclosed that the journey started about 4 years ago precisely November 2019. He pointed out that, ” ‘Extensive stakeholder Engagement’ was the watchword for the development of the new Ilorin city Masterplan; because over the last 2 years, the consultants and the committee have engaged in various stakeholder engagements involving different groups, associations, institutions, marketmen and women, and members of the general public for everyone to have an input in the Masterplan. Because the only way the Masterplan can be a success is if everyone participates in its development.

“And over the cause of the project – in this very hall – we had over 700 people attend the Ilorin Masterplan Townhall meeting, the draft masterplan presentation and exhibition which lasted for 28 days, where members of the general public contributed extensively to shaping the future of our state capital. These inputs, suggestions and recommendations were taken on to what has now formed the final Masterplan document that we will be unveiling today.”

Shittu further said that the new Ilorin urban Masterplan focuses on all major sectors which include but not limited to tourism, trade and investments, transportation, education, agriculture, healthcare, environment, green/open spaces, housing and sustainable development for the next 20 years.

“The Masterplan also sets out strategies for its implementation that will assist both present and subsequent administrations. The master plan also made recommendations for new cities one of which will also be unveiled today,” he said.
 
Guild of Digital Journalists reports that the Ilorin city Masterplan has been designed to improve the standard of living of the populace and make the city a tourist destination by making it more attractive to both local and international investors.

Guild of Digital Journalists further reports that the unveiling ceremony was attended by top government functionaries, federal and state lawmakers, traditional rulers and Kwarans in general.