The Kwara State Government has approved financial support for business owners affected by the enforcement of road setbacks in the capital. In a statement released on Friday by Dr. Abdulwasiu Olayinka Tejidini, the Ag. General Manager of the Kwara State Social Investment Programmes (KWASSIP), the government has taken this step to mitigate the impact of setbacks on businesses, aiming to prevent job losses and business closures.

The approval follows the recent enforcement of urban development regulations, which saw the removal of structures violating road setbacks in Ilorin. The Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS), led by Executive Chairman ESV Abdulkareem Babatunde Suleiman, supervised the enforcement, with backing from urban planning authorities.

The announcement was made at an event attended by prominent state officials, including TPL Abdulhakeem Abdulsalam, Director of Physical Planning, Mrs. Roseline Ajanaku, Executive Secretary of KWASSIP, and Ibraheem Abdullateef, Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara Governor on Communications.

Dr. Tejidini emphasized that the financial support was approved to curb the adverse economic effects that might arise from the enforcement actions. The program, administered through KWASSIP, is intended to provide immediate relief to affected businesses, keeping them afloat and protecting jobs.

Dr Tejidini said that the beneficiaries of the support scheme were selected after careful assessment of their losses which determined the amount of money approved for each person. "Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in his kindheartedness approved support for the affected business owners to grant them relief and help raise their businesses after the incident," KWASSIP chief Dr Abdulwasiu Olayinka Tejidini was quoted as saying.

"Following careful investigation and assessment, ten (10) persons were awarded the sum of N801,550; two (2) persons to receive N572,000; and forty-nine (49) others to get N400,000 each. The list comprises those whose shops were affected at Post Office, Tanke, and Ahmadu Bello Way respectively."

On his part, Executive Secretary of Kwara State Geographic Information Service, ESV Abdulkareem Suleiman described the intervention as deeply selfless as the government was not legally liable to grant compensation following the exercise.

"The enforcement of the setback was legal. The document in custody of the people affected was a Certificate of Temporary Occupation (CTO) which can be revoked with a notice of vacation within 7 days. We had acted according to the law. Kwara State Government is not liable to offer any compensation. I believe that everyone now understands clearly. What is being done today is out of magnanimity of the Governor and it is very commendable," ESV Suleiman said.

Speaking for the beneficiaries, Mrs Mary Ogbona expressed delight for the help, saying it was not expected.

"I am very happy for this help. We didn't expect it. We thank Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his act of magnanimity. This money will help us settle down back to business quicker and better. May God bless him."