Kunle Adelabu & Oladipupo Folayemi (SIWES Student)
-As Ward F, G present demands
The listening tour initiative of the Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Prince Adedayo Ladega has continued to generate positive reactions and commendations from residents of the council and people described it as a practical and innovative way to embark on needs assessment and implement people -oriented projects and programmes.
On Friday, the council boss led his team to Ward F and G, where he interacted with community stakeholders on what they are expecting from its administration.
While he hosted the Ward F listening at the frontage of late Chief Imam Andu’s house at Anibaba, the Ward G engagement was at the Omitoro Hall, Ikorodu.
The Chairman who was represented by his Vice, Hon. Babawale Alogba, thanked residents of Ward F for their support in bringing the current administration on board and emphasised that the gathering is not political but the actualization of his boss’ pledge during the electioneering period.
“My Chairman is a talk and do Chairman. He’s a talker and a listener. It is on that basis that he initiated this listening tour that is an interaction session to listen to you and get what you need.
“Therefore, our gathering today is significant and meaningful because it is initiated by the chairman to interact with you. He initiated it to make you understand that he has not forgotten his promise to you. Through this, we want you to know that we have not forgotten all the promises that we made during the electioneering period.
“This will not be the last of this kind of meeting. It is going to be a continuous interactive session and we are going to come back in the next four to six months to do follow -up.
“I also want to appeal to you that you have to be strategic with your requests and on that basis, you must list your pressing needs first,” Hon. Alogba said.
He enjoined them to assist the local government in serving them better by presenting their pressing needs during the engagement.
Prince Ladega who later joined the meeting charged residents to take advantage of the ongoing permanent voters’ registration and assist in mobilising others to.
He said that his administration would soon release information on how residents will be conveyed to the Ikorodu INEC office for capture.
The Councillor representing Ward F at the Ikorodu LG Legislative arm, Hon. Oluwakemi Buraimoh, welcoming the council delegates and residents to the gathering also lauded the chairman’s initiative as a proactive programme that would bring about people – oriented projects.
He thanked residents and stakeholders for responding to the invitation and charged them to make good use of the opportunity in advancing their most pressing needs.
In his remarks, APC Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Alhaji Animashaun, thanked people of Ward F for voting APC and bringing in the government of Hon. Ladega, stating that the listening tour is part of the council chairman’s campaign promises and commended him for fulfilling his campaign promises.
He commended the Chairman for the laudable initiative.
Requests by Stakeholders in Ward F
Mr M.A. Agunbiade, the Vice Chairman, Itunjetan CDA, also commended the council boss, requested that the council should see to the completion of the road leading into Itunjetan and solar -powered street lights within the Itunjetan community.
The representative of Owode/Sholafun CDA, Mr Sikirullahi Oseni, presenting on behalf of his community requested for the rehabilitation of Olusesi Street and street lights.
Ojoru CDA representative, Alhaja Monsurat Odumbo, who is the Secretary clamoured for the construction of a gate entrance, street light and the conversion of the generator powered street light from Ota Ona/Grammar School/Itamaga Road to solar powered street lights to assist motorists at night and improve security in the axis.
She also called for construction of wire mesh from the Grammar School Junction to Ogunleye Street by the Primary School in the axis to prevent deviant residents dumping refuse by the road and also requested for public powered water system to assist residents of the area.
Mr Abdulrahman Folorunsho, the representative of Ojoru Olowu CDA, requested of the council for the construction of Oreagba Road and a drainage system in Olorun Street, while the representative of Anibaba/Omini CDA demanded for transformers in the area and also the construction of drainage system, improved security and street lights.
Ifedapo/Ojoru CDA presentations include drainage system, canal clearing, street lights and road rehabilitations and Ajayi Oronti CDA only demanded for transformers.
Speaking on behalf of his community, Baale Lajoke demanded of the council the rehabilitation of the PHC at Grammar School, especially the waiting shed at the facility, and construction of the road to the PHC.
While speaking on behalf of the market association, Mrs Kafilat Kasali, called on the council to facilitate powering the public water system constructed by Hon. SOB Agunbiade with electricity, solar light in and around the market and Grammar School environment and adequate security.
The representative of youths, called for the construction of a speed breaker on Oshikoya Street constructed by Sen. Abiru and empowerment of youth while Mr Idowu Tiletile, who represented persons with disabilities urged the council chairman to provide employment opportunities for the people with disabilities in the council.
In his submission, Alhaji Dullar who also appreciated Prince Ladega for deeming it fit to hear from the people, charged the chairman to develop a welfare package for aged people.
Baale Owode, Chief Lookman Awomodu expressed his worry over the effect the bad drainage system down Owode Street has caused the area adding that because of the flooding many houses have been abandoned with residents relocating. He called on the council to rehabilitate the Owode Road constructed by Hon. Wasiu Adeshina’s administration but which is impacting negatively on the residents.
At Ward G (Agura/Gberigbe), Mr Ibrahim Suleiman who represented the Arewa Community called on the council chairman to construct the Ladogboye Road, provide solar powered street lights and ensure adequate security.
Mrs Funke Omotosho who spoke on behalf of the youth in the area called for youth empowerment, construction of a health centre at Gbaga and the road that leads to it.
While appreciating the council chairman for his input within a short time, however, Comrade Lasisi enjoined the council to change from the way the Ward has been neglected over time and provide them with basic infrastructures and support.
Also speaking, Otunba Taiwo, Coordinator CDC Zone 4 requested of the chairman to see to the construction of Eleshin, Gbaga and Morekete Roads.
