From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State House of Assembly, has urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to direct urgent intervention on dilapidated suburb roads across the state, even as lawmakers also called for stronger local government involvement in tree planting campaigns to fight deforestation.
At its plenary recently presided over by Speaker, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, members commended the governor for the massive road construction projects recorded since his administration began.
Leading the motion, Hon. Abdulraheem Motunrayo (Lanwa/Ejidongari), said timely intervention by the Kwara State Road Maintenance Agency (KWARMA), would not only restore easy access but also boost economic activities, reduce road crashes, and improve the quality of life.
“KWARMA was set up to maintain, rehabilitate, and repair roads across the state. Focusing on suburb roads now will consolidate the gains of the government’s road projects and further ease the movement of people and goods,” she argued.
Other lawmakers, including Hon. Odetundun Olushola (Irepodun) and Hon. Maryam Yusuf (Ilorin South), supported the call, stressing that neglecting suburb roads could erode the progress already made.
The House resolved to commend the governor and further urged him to direct KWARMA and the Ministry of Works to jointly monitor and sustain road rehabilitation projects, while also involving traditional rulers and community leaders in reporting road failures for quick repairs.
On environmental concerns, lawmakers debated another motion on the need to strengthen afforestation efforts at the local government level.
Hon. Babatunde Olatundun (Ilorin North-West), who sponsored the motion, warned that deforestation driven by illegal logging, charcoal production, and unsustainable farming is exposing the state to flooding, soil erosion, and climate-related risks.
“Trees are critical to our survival. Without urgent action, the loss of tree cover will worsen desertification and threaten the livelihood of our farming communities,” Olatundun cautioned.
Supporting lawmakers, including Hon. Rukayat Shittu (Owode/Onire) and Hon. Bamigboye Olajire (Oke-Ero), insisted that local government councils must take ownership of afforestation programmes to protect the environment.
The Assembly resolved to urge all 16 local government areas to champion tree planting with a focus on native species, while the Ministry of Environment should provide technical and financial support for community-led campaigns.
They also called on schools, community leaders, and residents to embrace tree planting and comply with the Kwara State Charcoal Production (Prohibition) Law of 2018 to reduce indiscriminate logging.
