The Kwara State Executive Council has given the nod to ?1.4bn as a starting grant for the establishment of the anticipated Ilorin Smart City, as outlined by the state government.

Additionally, contracts for the restoration of various rural routes across the Central and South Senatorial Districts have been approved by the council.

In a statement released on Thursday, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju, the state Commissioner for Communications, confirmed that these resolutions were reached during Wednesday's session of the State Executive Council.

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's extensive urban renewal campaign and opening up of the agrarian Kwara hinterlands continue as the State Executive Council again approved several road projects in different parts of the state — a few days after the government rolled out 84.7km rural road projects.

“The council awarded consultancy work for feasibility studies and development of a technical blueprint for the implementation of the 18,000-hectare Ilorin Smart City at the cost of N1.4bn,” the commissioner said.