By Steve Oni, Ilorin

 The Kwara State Government has signed a technical agreement with two firms, Riccofortezza Steven Energy Limited and Rubited Power Limited for the implementation of operation Light-Up Kwara (LUK), an innovative solar-powered streetlight project.

 Speaking at the signing on of the project at the Government House, Ilorin, the State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said that the streetlight project would enhance security,create jobs, boost businesses,facilitate technology/skill transfer and ensure extended commerce hours for traders.

 Besides, the governor added that LUK would herald the beginning of a green economy in the State. He also disclosed that the project is an investment inflow under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. According to him, the State government is not committing any funds to the project at this point, but would pay back the contract sum over a 10-year period.

 In his remarks, the Chairman of Riccofortezza Steven Energy Limited, Mr. Sunny Akpoyibo said that the streetlights would be powered through solar power tunnels, noting that this is the first time the technology would be deployed anywhere in Nigeria.

 Akpoyibo also emphasized the job creation potential of LUK in terms of civil, operational and maintenance components of the project. He added that  the project would cover 74.58km of roads, cutting across 33 routes within Ilorin metropolis, adding that 209 poles would be erected under the pilot phase of the project, which would cover eight routes within the metropolis.

 According to the State Ministry of Energy, the 33 routes include Tipper Garage-University road, Tanke-Umaru Audi Junction – Tipper Garage Roundabout, Umaru Audi – Fate roundabout, Ahmadu Bello avenue-Sulu Gambari road, and Taiwo road (Emir’s road junction-General roundabout).

 Others include Wahab Folawiyo (Unity road), Saraki road (Agric roundabout-Fate roundabout) and New Yidi road (Unity Junction-Fossil Oil).
The Ministry also listed subsequent routes that would be covered to include Pakata road, Michael Imodu-Offa Garage roundabout, Ipaye road, Illofa road, Oja Oba-Maraba road, Henry George-Sokoto road junction, Balogun Fulani-Gambari junction, Geri Alimi-Adeta road, Unity roundabout-FCMB Maraba road, among others.