-Says skill acquisition training in partnership commences September
Kunle Adelabu
The Executive Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Prince Adedayo Ladega, kicked – off the fulfilment of one of his electoral promises by engaging critical stakeholders in Ward A and B in Ikorodu on what are their primary challenges and projects that they are seeking from the government.
The need assessment initiative in the two of the seven wards provided residents in the political wards the opportunity to present and also submit their pressing needs which are needing urgent attention to the Ikorodu LG Chairman.
The initiative tagged, “Prince Ladega Listening Tour”, is aimed at assisting Ladega’s administration in its project and service delivery to the residents of Ikorodu LG.
Accompanying Prince Ladega, were his Vice, Hon. Babawale Alogba, Council Leader, Hon. Babatunde Shotomiwa, Councillors and councils’ management team among others.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, Prince Ladega said that the listening tour is aimed at getting the true desires of the constituents in terms of projects and programmes to guide his administration in execution of what the people actually wanted.
“We are here to speak, rather, we are here to listen to what you want us to do as the government that you constituted with your mandate. We are here to let you know that we have not forgotten about our electoral promises and that we have you in mind and we are going to do whatever that you want.
“We don’t want to just come to your area to construct a road, whereas a school is your priority. We are here to assess your needs for proper and effective service and project delivery
“We have heard different demands like health centre, primary school, borehole and others, but we are able to get your feedback because we are embarking on this listening tour and your responses would guide us in the execution of our programmes.
“We could have organised a stakeholders’ meeting whereby we invite everybody across the seven wards, but there is no how you will be able to articulate your needs in such fora that’s why we decided to go to each and every ward to listen to you,” the Ikorodu LG boss explained.
He also used the opportunity to thank Ikorodu constituents for voting him and other officials of the council in the last local government elections.
While emphasizing the importance of the direct interaction, Prince Ladega also stated that he has learnt what the demands in each area are.
He also stated his skill empowerment programme for the youths in Ikorodu.
“We heard your demands, but we cannot do them at once because we have many wards and so many numerous areas within the wards, but we shall ensure that you see our impacts in no distant future.
“We know what the widows’ needs are, which is empowerment and we pray that God will grant us the capacity to deliver.
“We are also going to empower our youths through skill acquisition. We have started with the renovation of the skill acquisition centre. This is because not all our children will go to university because some of them are preparing for skilled knowledge to excel.
“We have started refurbishment of the vocational centre at Aga and serious admission and training shall commence at the centre this month. We have tailoring, shoemaking, electricals among others, but we are starting with tailoring first.”
Prince Ladega further hinted, “Aside from their training, they will also be given professional and international certification. In addition, we will also give brilliant ones scholarships so that when they go abroad, they will be going there with skills.
“Our intention is to empower families in Ikorodu and once we can empower our youths through these trainings, we have definitely empowered families. We aim to contribute our quota to making Ikorodu a mega city,” he said.
At Otuja CDA which hosted the Ward A meeting, stakeholders described the Chairman’s listening tour as a rare occurrence and a commendable effort that would go a long way in carrying the people along in the local government governance.
Pa Bola Balogun of Otuja Harmony Phase II, praised the feasibility studies already initiated for road development.
He commended the ongoing work on the Cemetery Road which will link Sabo, Eyita, Shagamu Road and Ijebu Ode Road.
In his own submission, Hon. Idris Shokunbi, the Councillor representing Ward A, commended the Chairman for starting his administration very well and described him as a promise keeper, while Mr Ilesanmi, Ward A Chairman, expressed his gratitude, calling the visit a great joy for the ward.
Deaconess Wonuola Oshinowo, Lagos East Women Leader, appreciated the Chairman’s insight and called it a great example of a government ready to work.
Demands:
The CDC Zone 2 under Ward A presenting their demands from their chairman, requested for the construction of Daniel Odediran Street Road, Energizing of transformer and street light in the area, construction of Ireakari Road and the installation of solar light at Ota and Valley View among others.
There were also demands for transformers, polling units and road construction at Power Avenue, West Region Obokun CDA, improvement of security in the area and monthly welfare packages and solar street lights.
Representative of traders in Ward A complained about the enforcement by KAI officials at the Ikorodu Garage and urged the chairman to intervene, while the Youth representative asked for more employment opportunities for the youth
Other issues raised were of thefts and the need for improved security, houses being built on canal, flooding in the area.
Representatives of the Eyita Community raised concerns over erosion which is damaging their roads and also called for a recreational centre in the locality.
He also stated that residents’ indiscipline act of dumping refuse inside the drainage system has been causing floods that are damaging the Eytita Road and called for action.
Other demands are for the construction of a road to link Eyita Storehouse to Amoke Shodanu Street, good drainage system and street lights and improved security system.
At Ward B, CDAs like Lowa, Upper Lowa, Solomade, Igbo – Oluwo and Afuwape among others were represented. There were also representatives of market associations, youths, ethnic nationalities, people with disabilities among others in attendance.
Hon. Fatuga, the Councillor representing the Ward and who is the Deputy Leader, Ikorodu LG legislature welcoming the Chairman and his entourage commended him for his inclusive governance approach stating that “the period of One Man Show is gone in Ikorodu Local Government.”
The zonal CDC representatives presenting the demands of the zone requested for Solar powered street lights in Haruna downwards to assist with the security in the area, health centre and school at Igbo – Oluwo, road construction in many parts of the zone, public water system at Solomade, solar street lights at Suberu Ogunsanya to Allison Market, construction of drainage system across the area, replacement of Lowa Transformer.
In his own , Mr Akinyemi Oluwole, Lowa CDA Chairman, demanded for good drainage system and construction of road at Anisenijo Mabadeje Street, while Mr Saheed, Chairman, Afuwape CDA commended the chairman for his impacts in his first 30 days. He requested on behalf of his CDA for the construction of Afuwape/Anisenijo/Onu Oye Streets which he said called for an urgent attention and public water system in Lowa Area.
Mr Taju Olayinka, Solamade CDA Chairman, requested for an health centre and road grading in his area.
The representative of Igbo – Oluwo community, Mr Ojo Olubunmi who claimed that his area has the highest electoral votes in the whole of Ikorodu expressed his displeasure at the neglect of the area. He emphasised the need for massive road constriction in the area.
In their own presentation, the Deputy Iyaloja General, Chief (Mrs) Osho and another woman requested of the Chairman empowerment for traders through interest free loans, street lights at Allison Street, council’s intervention at Allison Market on insecurity being caused by hoodlums and erection of speed breaker to prevent accidents.
Mr Fatai Oluwo, who represented persons with disabilities called for support and empowerment for their members, while Mr Araba Enifeni who represented youths also emphasised the need for the provision of the public water system at Solomade , improving security and youth representation in government.
The listening tour continues on Friday at Wards G (Owode/Grammar School) and F (Itamaga/Agura Gberigbe), while the Wards C,D and E, which were supposed to hold on Thursday, were rescheduled for Saturday.
