The newly established Kwara State Ministry of Transportation has reaffirmed its commitment to developing a safer, more efficient, and technology-driven transportation system across the state.
Speaking on Wednesday during Day 2 of the 2025 First Quarter Inter-ministerial Press Briefing in Ilorin, the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Lafia Aliyu Korasabi, stated that the ministry was officially created on March 7, 2025, by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in recognition of the vital role transportation plays in driving economic growth.
Hon. Korasabi outlined the ministry’s mandate, which includes the maintenance and regulation of public roads, traffic management, enforcement of traffic laws, and the safety of commuters, while also enhancing the state’s internally generated revenue.
As part of its initiatives, the ministry has begun enforcing a “no-parking and no-trading” policy along pedestrian walkways to prevent road obstruction and ease traffic congestion.
The ministry has also engaged in several consultations with key transport unions and stakeholders, such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Association of Independent Transporters (AIT), and Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), to promote collaboration and ensure peaceful operations within the sector.
Through the Kwara State Automated Vehicle Inspection Service (KWAVIS), the ministry is leveraging modern technology to enhance vehicle inspections, maintenance procedures, and driver training. These efforts aim to improve service delivery and boost state revenue.
The commissioner further disclosed that plans are underway to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered vehicles and a transport intelligence system, as part of a broader strategy to create a safer, smarter, and more organized urban transport network.
In a bid to strengthen security, the ministry is developing a comprehensive database of all transport operators—including buses, tricycles, motorcycles, and intercity travelers—to monitor movement and ensure public safety.
He added that agencies such as the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) are actively enforcing traffic regulations. The ministry is also seeking government approval to install traffic lights across the state to further streamline road operations.
