Three key facilities are set to improve the commercial landscape in Kwara State

Significant opportunities exist for private operators to become involved in developing the commercial sector as diverse as aviation (International Aviation College), logistics (Truck Plaza), and retail (shopping mall).

Aviation (International Aviation College)

The Internation Aviation College to be completed very soon

A 90-hectare site is being developed near Ilorin International Airport as a Truck Plaza to take advantage of Kwara State strategic location. Maintenance facilities, fuel depots and accommodation units are planned.

• Truck parking area
• Fuel and service centre
• Truckers Village
• Clinic
• Fire Station
• Truck and bus washing bay
• Bus and car parking area
• Emergency tow service
• Motels
• Eateries and cafeteria facilities

Specific areas of the truck plaza where private-sector investment is required

• Fuel and service centre
• Motels and other accommodation facilities
• Eateries and cafeteria facilities
• Truck maintenance workshop
• Main plaza

Firm Foundation for Investment
Kwara State offers excellent supporting infrastructure aimed at creating an environment that is conducive to investment and business.  

Adequate Infrastructure plays a vital role to any investor looking to start a business. Basic physical and organizational structures are needed for the profitable and efficient operation of any commercial venture.

Kwara State has put in considerable effort to improve vital areas such as transport, power generation and distribution, water supply, information and communication technology (ICT) and the provision of healthcare services, to name a few, in order to provide a conducive environment for business. Despite the achievements, the current administration realises that a lot of work still needs to be done to bring its infrastructure up to world standards. 

Power 

Ganmo Power substation

In the area of rural electrification, many remote areas and villages have received power, including the 'New Nigerian Farmers' in Shonga. To maintain the leverage that the state currently enjoys, the state government has begun to invest in a transmission and distribution programme. Contracts have already been awarded for the supply and installation of six 15MWA 33/11KV transformers. The state government is willing to provide adequate power supply to any new business investment in the state.

Industrialists Commend Stable Power Supply In Kwara State

Mr. Arowolo Johnson,
Personnel/Admin Manager,
Tuyil Pharmaceutical Company Nig. Ltd, Ilorin.

We at Tuyil will forever be grateful to the Governor Bukola Saraki administration for its initiative in the area of stabilizing power supply in the state. This has paid off greatly.

Before the Ganmo Power Project came, we consumed nothing less than 10 drums of diesel monthly. But now with unprecedented stable power supply, we hardly use one drum of diesel within the same period. This is quite salutary.

We have many reasons to be grateful to the present administration: Apart from the fact that private power generation for industries is capital intensive, we have also since discovered that the use of generator often adversely affect our machines. Only a stable power supply ensured by the PHCN is good for the health of our machines.

The stable power supply has also increased our production level and has equally broadened our market base. We have developed from about five products at inception to about 82 products presently. We also have about 22 depots across the country.

We expect that very soon the cargo terminal will take off so as to reduce the challenges we face in transporting our cargos from the Lagos port by road.


Mr. Mokeke Jude,
Human Resources/Admin Manager,
Dangote Flour Mills, Ilorin.

Power supply has improved since early last year (2009). And you will agree with me that that was when the Ganmo Power Station was energized. This improvement is incontrovertible as even the most incurable cynic will admit this phenomenal improvement.

Our reliance on the PHCN power supply is quite on the high side because of our operations. Now our reliance rate on the PHCN power is about 88%. We use our generators sparingly to source for the remaining 12%.

The private sector community of the Nigerian economy has positively identified Kwara State as an emerging investors’ destination with great potentials still waiting to be tapped. This is why companies, industries are presently trooping to the state.

Stable power supply and a secured atmosphere which have become Kwara State’s middle names are great assets in industrial circle.

This new regime of stable power supply has helped our production level. Presently, we are increasing our production level from 500 tons to 1,000 tons daily. This development has its multiple advantages for us as a company – increase in output and turnover, and increase in number of factory hands needed – which are drawn from the host communities.

This present government has done very well. We only hope the next administration will be able to sustain this high level performance.

Engr. Yahaya Hussein,
KAM WILL Industry Nig. Ltd, Asa Dam, Road, Ilorin.

I must be honest with you, we are grateful to the Governor Bukola Saraki administration. He has done commendably well on the issue of power supply. Power Supply has improved significantly since the commissioning of the Ganmo Power Project. We particularly started experiencing this in January this year. Before January 2010, we used to enjoy power supply between 15 to 17 hours daily. But now, it has hopped up to between 22 to 23 hours daily. You will agree with me that in the Nigeria of today, this is quite significant.

The development has also drastically cut down on our diesel consumption often needed to power our generators in times of power outage which were incessant before January this year. But we must add that we still occasionally experience fluctuations, which we learnt is being attended to. And in domestic power supply, there is still more to be done in the area of distribution as some areas in Ilorin are still being subjected to shifts. For instance, where I live in Ilorin enjoys electricity between 8 to 10 hours daily. But admittedly, power supply has improved appreciably.

…And The Saw Millers Too.

Mallam Ibrahim Isa,
Irewolede Saw Mill, Ilorin

We are presently enjoying a steady power supply like never before. I have been in the saw milling business for about 40 years now. The regular power supply we enjoy in this place presently is unprecedented.

The volume of business is so much that we, at times, turn back customers because we work from dawn to dusk. However, this wouldn’t have been possible without a stable power supply.

Here we enjoy everything - a brand new, high powered transformer, stable power supply; all these have combined to engender a boom in business for us. We cannot thank Governor Bukola Saraki enough. We wish it were possible to prolong the tenure of this administration for another fresh term. However, we pray the coming administration will be able to sustain this laudable legacy of Governor Saraki.  

Airport and cargo terminal 

Ilorin International Airport Cargo Terminal

The Kwara State Government wants to establish the state as a cargo hub, competing directly with Lagos. More than half the goods arriving in Lagos are not destined for Lagos itself but for the rest of the country. Because of Kwara State's central location, goods can now be directly brought into Ilorin, and trucked to other parts of Nigeria, saving importers time and money. Customs clearance at "Ilorin is also much quicker than Lagos with officials on standby 24 hours a day.

During a trial run using a temporary cargo shed, the New Nigeria Farmers at Shonga brought in 800 Jersey cattle from South Africa. The airport has also received a load of cargo from Dubai. One of the state's major industrial concerns, furniture manufacturer Kwara Ethnix Designs, has recently indicated it is working towards exporting goods directly to Europe from Ilorin International Airport, utilising its cargo handling facilities. 

Roads

A flyover in the center of the state capital has greatly reduced congestion

Financial services 

Kwara State has numerous banks and financial institutions that are ready to assist investors and businesspeople. Most major banks have branches in Kwara State and investors have access to most bank services. The Kwara Microfinance Bank complements the activities of existing microfinance banks to provide credit to small businesses and cooperative groups.

The recent opening of the Ilorin branch of the Nigerian Stock Exchange is evidence of Kwara State's growing importance in the country's financial-services sector. Since the opening of the branch, a number of stock-broking firms have also set up shop in the state. 

ICT services

Most of Nigeria’s main mobile operators have base stations in Kwara State's major cities and many have started to connect the more rural areas of the state. When the New Nigerian Farmers settled in the state, the current administration collaborated with Globacom to provide mobile services to the farms. Although the arrival of mobile telephony has boosted the state's economy and created employment, the administration has called on operators to further improve their services. Businesses can subscribe to Internet access through various service providers and Internet cafes are found across the state.

Security

Kwara State is proud of the fact that it is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. Although the state hosts a wide variety of people with different religions and cultural heritage, there is a sense of mutual respect among the population.

To further improve security in the state, the administration has recently installed close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the capital Ilorin. New solar-powered street lights have also been introduced to boost security at night. 

Water supply

Water supply is one of the major challenges facing all of Nigeria's rural areas and Kwara State is no exception. While the region has sufficient water resources to meet the needs of the people, many are still not enjoying the benefits of potable water. Historically, water infrastructure such as waterworks, storage reservoirs, pumps stations and distribution networks has been poorly maintained. The current administration has shown its commitment to turning the situation around by rehabilitating waterworks, drilling new hand-pumped boreholes, installing solar-powered mini-motorised boreholes, improving the pipeline distribution network and purchasing water treatment chemicals.

The state government believes water is a major factor in achieving key development objectives especially in the areas of health, education and poverty reduction. It is therefore willing to partner with all stakeholders at national and international levels in meeting this all-important challenge.

Irrigation

Modern sprinkler systems installed in Shonga Farm

Healthcare

Investors in Kwara State will find adequate healthcare services. Being a qualified medical doctor himself, the Kwara State Governor, His Excellency Or Bukola Saraki, is placing a great emphasis on healthcare. Hospitals have been upgraded, drugs have been distributed and modern hospital equipment has been procured.

The state is partnering with Medequip Medical Services to construct one of its flagship healthcare facilities - the Central Diagnostic Centre. The facility will provide sophisticated laboratory investigations, pathology and imaging services such as CAT scan and mammography. The centre will not only serve both public and private hospitals in Kwara State but institutions across the entire country. The revenue potential of this initiative, apart from the health benefits, is indeed enormous.

One of the other steps that has been taken to improve healthcare is the establishment of an oxygen plant at the Sobi Specialist Hospital. The oxygen produced is important for surgical and emergency procedures. Through the Malaria-Free Kwara programme, insecticide-treated nets and free malaria drugs are being distributed. 

The Ilorin International Airport Cargo Terminal is a major innovation and a significant factor in the outward-looking policies of the administration of Kwara State. The year 2010 will see this facility in full use. The implications of this modern facility being at full capacity for the state of Kwara and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are expected to be great, as indeed they may be for the whole of West Africa. 

• Import Cargo Shed: 1260 cubic metres
• Export Cargo Shed: 1260 cubic metres
• Equipment on site
• Fire-fighting vehicles
• Security patrol vehicles
• Water Tanker
• Airfield recovery equipment
• Screening machine (Cargo)
• Airfield ground control equipment
• Trolley (stainless steel)
• Ramp handling services equipment
• Cargo aircraft night handling equipment (15 KVA inverter)

Wet cargo facilities

• Weighing scales
• Stainless-steel system
• UV dryer
• Ice machine 
• High-pressure cleaner