-Gives account of stewardship
Kunle ADELABU
Hon. Nurudeen Saka Solaja, the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, is set to stage a mega empowerment scheme for the artisans in his Constituency in fulfillment of his electoral promises.
According to the lawmaker, more than 350 skilled constituents would benefit from the empowerment programme which is slated to hold in Imota today (Friday, April 27, 2018).
About 50 hair dressers would be given hair dryers while 40 barbers would go home with generating sets and other barbing equipment and 35 others would also be given pepper grinding machines.
Also, 70 people would be given 15 crates of Coca Cola products with coolers while officials of the popular bottling company would also be on ground to get details of the beneficiaries for the purpose of making deliveries to them.
More so, 15 cartoons of Indomie noodles each are also expected to be given to 50 people who are involved in the business while about 40 fishermen would also be provided with fishing nets and other fishing equipment.
Hon. Solaja, in a chat with THE IMPACT, said that it is the turn of the artisans in his constituency to directly enjoy the dividends of democracy from his representation as promised during his electioneering campaign.
“Since I have been focusing on others, it is fair that I also give back to the artisans who also constitute an integral part of the constituency and also play a pivotal role in the social and economic development of our communities”, Hon. Solaja stated.
“It is time to empower the artisans who are key to our emergence. More so, it’s a way of supporting them during this challenging economic period in our country and assist them in expanding their businesses”, he added.
“I have been executing my campaign promises since I got the mandate of my people in termt of representation, lawmaking and lobbying to bring back impactful projects for the benefit of my people and the division at large.
“Since my assumption, I have been fulfilling my promises to the aged, students and youths general, community and my party, There has been computer training for many youths across the constituency, I have also organized quiz competitions, supported students union programmes in Ijede, Imota and Igbogbo and encouraged students and schools that have made us proud in WAEC among other interventions”.
Reacting to the criticisms that he is not performing to expectations, Hon. Solaja stated those criticizing him on the social media are either not living in any part of Constituency II or ignorance of the development in the last three years of his representation while he also reeled out his achievements to THE IMPACT.
“There has been community programmes like opening of roads and grading of the existing ones; financing the installation of boreholes in the three councils within my constituency; ensuring that our traditional institutions are not relegated as well as facilitating many important projects for the constituency.
“Unknown to many, it was my contribution on the floor of the House, with the support of my brother and colleague from the constituency I,Hon. S.O.B Agunbiade, and other members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, that made Governor Akinwunmi Ambode moved the Lagos State Commodity Market(Mile 12 market) to Imota in Ikorodu division.
“I was able to argue that commodity market should not be in the metropolitan area but in a rural area coupled with the fact that the Mile 12 market is causing untold hardship for the road users. I equally brought to the notice of the House and the government of Lagos State generally that the state government has acquired over 135 hectares of land in Imota which can serve the purpose. This is why the government resolved that the market should be brought to Imota and we all know the social and economic implications when the market finally berth in our axis”, he stated.
“As a lawmaker and a chartered accountant, I have been instrumental, along with three other collegues, to the preparation of State’s budget in the last three years. This has resulted in the transformation of our dear state from a mega city to a smart city.
“In conjunction with our Majority Leader in the House of Assembly and the supports of other appointees and leaders in the division, we have also succeeded in facilitating the rehabilitation and construction of major roads like the Ebute/Igbogbo/Ijede road.
“I have also contributed to the expansion of Rice factory in Imota and construction and rehabilitation of schools.
It was also gathered that Hon Solaja played a pivotal role in the initiative of two roads per council project by the state government led by Governor Ambode.
In selecting the beneficiaries for the empowerment, Hon. Solaja told THE IMPACT that the beneficiaries were picked from all the stakeholders in the Ikorodu Constituency II including the traditional institutions, religious bodies, party, market sector, Igbo and Hausa communities, community development associations and groups among others.
He added that a minimum of seven slots were given to the political wards in Imota, Ijede and Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
