Osogbo — Osun State Government said, yesterday, that it has earmarked N8 billion for the renewal of nine major cities in the state, under its Urban Renewal Project, aimed at beautifying all the nine zonal headquarters in the state.

The cities to benefit from the project, according to the Chairman, Osun State Urban Renewal project, OSURP, Professor Babatunde Agbola, are Osogbo, Ikirun, Ejigbo, Iwo, Ikire, Ede, Ilesa, Ila-Orangun and Ile-Ife.

Agbola, who said the project had commenced at the palaces in the cities, noted that the aim of the government was to ensure total beautification of one kilometre radius to the palaces of the affected cities.

He said the project which was an innovation of the state Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola would help to rehabilitate all the dilapidated structures close to the palaces of the chosen cities and also aid the development of the cultural heritage of the cities through building of modern museums in the palaces.