20-year Ilorin master plan unveiled
By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The 20-year Ilorin master plan is designed to create new five satellite towns to take care of the growing population in the capital city and its environs.
The Chairman, Ilorin Master Plan Working Committee, Mallam Abdulmutalib Shittu, who disclosed this during the public presentation of the draft master plan in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Wednesday, said the new satellite towns would consist of necessary comprehensive amenities available in any modern society, adding that there would be no need to get to the capital city to get all facilities needed to live a healthy socioeconomic life.
The Chairman, who also said the new master plan would take care of future waste disposal, transportation, education à and population growth, added that the draft master plan was arrived at from contributions of key stakeholders in the state.
“The master plan considers planned growth and development for 20 years; public transport and utility network; strengthening employment opportunities and the provisions of public services for an increasing population. The strategic master plan covers an area just under 2,000 kilometre square and provides a 20 year vision for the future of Ilorin. It is a comprehensive, sustainable and implementable framework for urban development aimed at reflecting the needs of the community”, he said.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the presentation of the new master plan spoke to his administration’s genuine concern for planned growth and the future of the children of the state.
Represented by his deputy, Mr. Kayode Alabi, the Governor, who said that the project is a testament to vision and commitment his administration has for the state, added that designing master plans for other major cities is also a top priority, “as we build a sustainable future for Kwara state”.
“Today represents another milestone in the history of Ilorin and our state. For one, the capital city is getting a master plan for the second time since the creation of Kwara State in 1967. The first one had been designed in 1976 and it was meant to lapse at the close of the 20th century. We are glad to be offering the state its second-ever master plan.
“We started this project some 15 months ago in 2020, and it has taken the efforts of many professionals and patriots to get us this far. I am truly grateful to all of you.
“Ilorin, which is one of the fastest growing cities in Nigeria, will continue to record huge growth into the future. This master plan therefore provides A-grade professional insights into how the city will be organised in the areas of transportation and utilities, waste management, water and drainage system, education, health, climate change management and green areas, job opportunities, agriculture, and future expansion of the city, among others”.