As part of efforts to improve security in the State and boost commerce, the Kwara State Government is embarking on a N6b project, Light Up Kwara.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Energy, Alhaji Idris Abubakar during a press briefing in Ilorin as part of the resolution of the State Executive Council meeting.

The project would ensure that all the streets in the state are lit during the night to boost security, enhance commerce and create jobs in the night economy hoodlums while improving aesthetics.

According to the commissioner, the project is going to be in two phases stating that phase I of the project will cover 78 kilometres of dualized roads within Ilorin metropolis.

Power for the street lights with be generated and distributed through the innovative Solar Power Tunnels, the first of its kind in Nigeria, said the Commissioner.

The project, he said, will be financed through a Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement over a period of ten years adding that the private partners will design, build, finance, operate and maintain the project for 10 years before transferring the assets to the state government.

“Repayment will commence when the Kwara State Government is sure that all is well, the project is tested, reliable and efficiently serving the purpose”, he said.

The phase II of the project, he said, will go outside the metropolis like Offa in Offa Local Government Area; Omu-Aran, Moro and Edu Local Government Areas and subsequently to every other LGAs in the State.