Numerous Ilorin locals have expressed concern over the widespread demolitions occurring amid ongoing construction in the state capital.
In an effort to clear out buildings and businesses that it claimed infringed on its urban redevelopment project, the government recently brought out bulldozers to demolish such structures.
The incident occurred as a result of the numerous quit notices that the impacted traders and residents had received from both the current and previous governments.
In response to criticism from some quarters following the exercise, Kwara State Governor Rafiu Ajakaye’s chief press secretary stated, “Marking (and demolition) of encroaching structures is a standard practice aimed at facilitating infrastructural development.”
From Ahmadu Bello Way, including the gate and fence of the Government House, to popular areas like Taiwo, Unity, Sulu Gambari, Post Office, Tanke, part of Offa Garage and down to the hinterlands of Oloje, Alfa Yahaya and Surulere, demolition is ongoing, to pave way for construction work.
However, while the government has received applause in some circles over the decision to restore and improve the planning of the state capital, the development has come with pains for many of the victims following the large-scale demolition of their shops and businesses including knocks from the major opposition party.
In 2022, the state government announced its plan to present a new Ilorin master plan, the second since the creation of the state in 1967. The move, it said, was to reposition the fast-growing city for the next 20 years.
According to the executive chairman KwaraState Geographic Information Service (GIS), Mallam Abdulmutalib Shittu, who doubles as the chairman of the working committee of the Ilorin master plan project, the new master plan will address “the future of the about 3.5 million population growth in Ilọrin.
“The first master plan was designed in 1976 during the regime of David Bamgboye and expired 21 years ago. It was long overdue to address the issues of road expansion, wastage disposal/management and other aspects that make safe and decent human living possible.
“The new master plan would have such infrastructure as an industrial park, bus mass transit, model international market, special economic zones and residential cities among others, and cover trade, investment, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, housing, tourism and education.”
Speaking during its launch which was accompanied with the unveiling of a N1.7 trillion smart city as part of activities for this year’s Democracy Day, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said Kwara State was adding another cornerstone to the foundation laid over 48 years ago by the founding fathers who designed the first master plan for Ilorin.
“This is about making our capital city habitable, compliant with the rules that govern urban planning in the age of climate crisis, and bequeathing a legacy for those coming after us. The United Nations World Population Prospects has put Ilorin as the third most populous metro area in the entire northern Nigeria, preceded only by Kaduna and Kano in the ascending order.
“Ilorin, according to this data, has had a population growth rate of between 2.53 percent in 2020 and 3.3percent in 2024. These are not mere statistics but have dire consequences for how we live and survive.
“While the Ilorin City Master Plan has been designed to guide how we live sustainably for the next 40 years, the Smart City is our innovative response to the multidimensional challenges of urban living that now confronts Ilorin, including congestion and the associated pressures it brings on the existing infrastructure,” AbdulRazaq said.
But the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement by Olusegun Adewara, its Publicity Secretary, knocked the administration over the ambitious project, describing it as anti-masses.
“At a time when the government should be implementing programmes and policies to ameliorate the hardship in the country, the Abdulrazaq administration decided to embark on the massive demolition of people’s businesses and sources of livelihood,” he said.
Shop owners and residents affected by the ongoing demolition across the metropolis have called on the government to provide them with assistance.
According to Mallam Yusuf Abdullahi Shiga, a wrist watch and perfume seller, the demolition has seriously affected his business.
“We don’t have any ownership evidence or Cof O to claim right or any compensation. The government did not provide an alternative place for us to move to.Where will I start from now with the situation in the country after spending 30 years here?.
“I have three wives and 18 children. A lot of people have been thrown out of business and these youths you see selling second hand jeans and clothing around here are mostly graduates. If they cannot get what to eat and where to do business, what do you expect? Kwara is one of the most peaceful states in the country, the government should look at how to assist the over 1,000 people affected in just this axis, this is like adding salt to our injuries,” he stressed.
