Kwara Plans N6b ‘Light Up Kwara’ Project

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

As part of efforts to improve security in the state and boost commerce, the Kwara State government is embarking on a N6b project called Light Up Kwara.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Energy, Mr Idris Abubakar, during a press briefing in Ilorin as part of the resolution of the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.

He explained that the project would ensure all the streets in the state are lit during the night to boost security, enhance commerce and create jobs in the night economy hoodlums while improving aesthetics.

According to hum, the project would be in two phases with the first phase covering 78 kilometres of dualized roads within Ilorin metropolis, while the second phase would go outside the metropolis like Offa in Offa Local Government Area; Omu-Aran, Moro and Edu Local Government Areas and subsequently to every other LGAs in the state.

Power for the street lights with be generated and distributed through the innovative Solar Power Tunnels, the first of its kind in Nigeria, said the Commissioner.

The project, he said, would be financed through a Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement over a period of 10 years, adding that the private partners will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the project before transferring the assets to the state government.

“Repayment will commence when the Kwara State Government is sure that all is well, the project is tested, reliable and efficiently serving the purpose,” he said.