A BEAUTIFUL 21st century fly-over; stretching across a breathtaking network of well laid roads, adorned with lay-by, walk- way, roundabout and landscape island.

No, this is not an exclusive area in Dubai. Take another look! You are not in the newly transformed area of the Victoria Island in Lagos or in the elevated suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.  Welcome to the Post Office area, in the heart of the ancient city of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

For those conversant with Ilorin metropolis, Post Office was the hub of commercial activities with the attendance chaotic traffic situation and pothole-ridden roads.
But two years ago, the Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki, made a bold move to transform the Post Office area into the state capital’s befitting business district. The foundation of the fly-over, the first in the entire North-Central zone, was laid.
The fly-over is expected to ease the traffic congestion which had plagued the Post Office area and brought untold hardship to the people for years.

The consultant to the project, Mr Bashir Lawal an engineer, described the project as visionary. He said he was proud as a Kwara citizen that Saraki conceived the idea.
According to him, anybody who had visited the area three years ago will marvel at the transformation that has taken place.
Lawal described the governor as a visionary and intelligent leader whose achievements speak for him.
He said: “I want to say with all modesty that governor Saraki has set a record that is difficult for anybody coming after him to beat. He is a leader, a builder and courageous administrator.”

Residents of Ilorin, who also spoke on the project, commended the governor for his vision, stressing that the fly-over will reduce the traffic gridlock in the area.
“It is not just the fly-over, but the transformation of this part of our world,” Fatai Akanbi, an okada rider, enthused.

By Ololade Iyanda
Written by Ololade Iyanda
26/03/10