By: AKANBI ABDULAZEEZ
Q: Reports indicate that your office has imposed a ban on tricycles and motorcycles along the Amadu Bello Axis in Ilorin, allowing only mini-buses, shuttles, and taxis. Can you confirm this and explain the rationale behind the decision?
A: “I’d like to clarify that we did not issue a ban but a restriction and we choose to adopt the measure for safety and to sanitize the area.
Q: The public is questioning why commercial rides have been restricted while dispatch services are still allowed. This has raised concerns about how it could affect residents’ mobility. What is your response to this?
A: “The restriction creates an opportunity for shuttle services to operate effectively in the area. There are shuttle buses that cater to routes like the post office to Tanke and other critical areas”.
Q: Can you provide an update on the projects the Ministry of Works and Transport is handling across the three senatorial districts in Kwara State?
A: “The current infrastructure work in the state is unprecedented,” we are not just focusing on the urban areas, two weeks ago, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq flagged off a 209.77 rural road project, all these projects are spread across three senatorial district to the rural areas for farmers specifically, we are identifying more areas and the governor is giving support to ensure that we meet up with the scale up for the rural project for them to be able to RAMP- up more locations to bolster the state’s socio-economic development. Addressing public concern, he said, “For instance, in Kwara Central, some people have raised concerns online that we are merely resurfacing roads that are still in good condition. However, I want to inform the public that most roads in the Ilorin metropolis have surpassed their engineering lifespan.”
He cited Ibrahim Taiwo Road as an example: “That the road was constructed by former Governor David Bamigboye in 1971. It has served us for over 40 years without significant upgrades. The government recognizes the need to rebuild, not just maintain, these aging roads to meet modern standards.”
Edited by Joseph EMERIBE