By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin
Kwara state government has commenced the dredging of Asa River in Ilorin, the state capital.
This is to prevent the yearly flood disasters during rainy season caused by overflow of the river.
The state commissioner for Environment, Aliyu Saifudeen, an architect, said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had approved the contract for the dredging of the river.
He said the dredging which covers over four kilometres of the river is expected to get rid of all obstacles hampering the smooth flow of the river.
He said “accordingly, the notorious annual flood at various points, especially at the bridges will certainly be a thing of the past.”
Seifudeen added that the contractor has been given four weeks to complete the project, assuring him of the cooperation of his ministry in achieving this.
He said henceforth, the river will enjoy regular maintenance to add beauty to the aesthetic value of the state capital.
Also amidst total lockdown of the state, the contractor handling the reconstruction of Jagun- Okelele- Alagbado road in Ilorin East local government area has intensified works on the project.
The long- abandoned road is the major route leading to the Sobi Specialist Hospital, designated as isolation centre for the treatment of victims of infectious diseases.
Workers were at the project’s site working throughout the weekend. They resumed works at the site again yesterday.
Excited by spate of work on the road project, the people of Ibagun (Okelele) community applauded the state governor for approving the reconstruction of the road.
The chairman of Ibagun Progressive Union (IPU), Alh Kuranga Omomeji, thanked the governor for his dogged transformation of the state and the Ibagun community since his assumption of office.
He also acknowledged the role of the governor’s special adviser (political), Malam Sa’adu Salahu in attracting developmental projects into the community.
For his part, Salahu, who has taken the task of monitoring the project upon himself, being an indigene of Ibagun ward, thanked the contractor for working towards meeting the time frame for the completion of the road project.
He also thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for executing a number of projects in his community.
