The Kwara State Government has assured indigenes of communities affected by the Kwara Smart City project that the initiative will ensure fairness, due consideration, and compensation for their concerns.

The Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola, gave the assurance during a recent meeting in his office with a delegation from the Alalubosa community in Ilorin East Local Government, led by the Baale of Alalubosa, Alhaji Sakariyau Shonibare.

A statement by the Press Secretary of the ministry, Kunle Gbadeyan, made available to the press on Sunday, said the meeting was convened in response to concerns raised by the community and investors regarding the proposed project.

Addressing stakeholders, Dr Ogunsola stressed that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq was closely monitoring all activities relating to the project to ensure alignment with global best practices.

This, he said, was to preserve cultural heritage and advance the socio-economic prospects of the affected communities.

The commissioner noted that the community's concern over job displacement was among the government's key considerations, adding that the project from inception to completion would generate hundreds of employment opportunities for residents.

He appealed for the people's support and cooperation in executing the project, noting that facilities within the smart city would significantly transform the area and positively impact the lives of Kwara citizens at large.

The commissioner assured the investors that their investments had been factored into the planned design of the project to ensure seamless integration.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaja Risikat Abdulazeez, expressed appreciation to the community for the productive engagement with the government.

She maintained that the governor would not disappoint the people in ensuring the project benefited residents.

The Deed Registrar from Kwara State Geographical Information Service, Mallam Nuhu Yusuf, stated that the government valued both the historical landmarks as well as the cultural heritage of the people and would work with the communities to preserve the identified locations within the smart city project.

Presenting the concerns of the community, the secretary, Dr Babatunde Saka, said the meeting reflected the government's transparency and accessibility, while praying for the success of the AbdulRazaq-led administration.

The investors appealed to the government to make provision for the peculiarity of their business exigencies.