By Bose Adelaja
CITIZENS COMPASS – The Chairman, Lekki Residents Association (LERA), Engineer Abayomi Idowu, on Monday, reeled out the achievements of his administration within a space of four years.
The administration will complete its tenure on Saturday, December 7, 2024, having assumed office on September 27, 2020.
Idowu, on behalf of his “Turn Around Team”, in a statement said despite all odds, the administration was able to provide a befitting administrative office called LERA Centre with six fully equipped offices, six restrooms, a board room, and a 150-200 seating capacity hall.
Other achievements include; exponential revenue growth, road rehabilitation and health insurance.
He said, “Considering the fact that the association’s accounts were initially frozen by the court, our administration employed strategies that focused on unlocking new revenue streams and optimizing existing ones. We are pleased to inform you that these strategies have been a huge success and have culminated in over ONE HUNDRED MILLION NAIRA (N 100,000,000.00) in reserve- a robust financial foundation for the next administration.
Road Repairs- Our administration took proactive steps to address road repairs within the scheme, ensuring that potholes were fixed promptly. One notable achievement was the rehabilitation of Admiralty Road by Access Bank Plc in 2021. This collaboration was facilitated through correspondence with the former Managing Director of Access Bank, the late Herbert Wigwe, who responded swiftly to our request. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
“LERA Health Insurance- Our administration prioritized the health and wellness of LERA staff by providing comprehensive health insurance coverage. We achieved this by enrolling them into the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme (a health insurance initiative by Lagos State Government). LERA staff can now avail themselves of free health checkups and medical consultations at their preferred hospitals. This initiative has had a positive impact on staff morale, productivity, and job satisfaction, ultimately contributing to the success of our administration.
“Salary Increment- The LERA staff were very poorly paid. Our administration successfully implemented a significant salary increase for them. Notably, the Sheriffs’ salaries were increased by over 100%, while administrative staff also received substantial salary increments. This proactive measure aimed to mitigate the effects of inflation and boost productivity, reflecting our commitment to enhancing staff welfare.
“Prior to our administration, the scourge of motorcycle riders (popularly known as Okada) plagued our community. Residents lived in fear of daylight robberies and incessant accidents within the scheme. We petitioned the Lagos State Government, seeking intervention in prohibiting motorcycles and also organized a peaceful protest. Our persistent efforts yielded results prompting an outright ban of motorcycles within the scheme till today.
“Environmental Sustainability – Environmental sustainability is not a walk in the park. Our administration prioritized environmental sustainability, tackling degradation through:
“Proper Waste System and Drainage- We ensured an efficient and effective waste disposal system within the scheme and this was done through collaborative efforts with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Lagos State
Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that the LERA Environment Committee played a huge role in ensuring free drainage system and a cleaner environment.
“Dislodgment of cart pushers, Hawkers and Prostitutes- Our administration tackled the menace of cart pushers, hawkers, and prostitutes, ensuring a safer and more secure environment. Suffice to say, that prostitutes constituting nuisances especially at hotspot within the scheme were arrested at intervals and handed over to Maroko Police Station for prosecution. We also collaborated with the Lagos
State Task Force to demolish illegal structures and arrest hawkers within the scheme.
“Tree Planting and Environmental Initiatives- Our administration collaborated with the Lekki Youth President, Ms. Doyinsola Ogunye, and the Bank of Industry (BOI) to embark on a tree-planting initiative. We successfully planted trees along major streets in Lekki, including Providence Street. Additionally, we recently partnered with Recycling Scheme For Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE) to conduct a thorough cleaning of the streets in Lekki.
“These projects demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability and community development. We are proud to have worked with dedicated partners and individuals to make a positive impact in Lekki.
“Security- It cannot be over-emphasized, that since the aftermath of the October 2020
#ENDSARS movement, security within the scheme has been grossly undermined. Our administration embarked on various approaches in curbing nefarious activities of miscreants, underprivileged children and drug peddlers within the scheme. The LERA
Operation Team (which comprises of LERA Sheriffs, CNC Squad, Policemen from Maroko
Division and men from Odua People’s Congress) ensured constant effective raiding.
Collaborating with the Lagos State Task Force further strengthened security efforts, demonstrating a commitment to community safety.
“Security Cameras Surveillance- To bolster security and maintain order, our administration strategically installed CCTV cameras within the scheme. This proactive measures have effectively deterred intruders, providing a safer environment for residents.
“No Toll Fares- Our administration together with esteemed residents ensured that the toll fares were stopped and this has been sustained till date.
“Intergovernmental Relationships: We maintained strong relationships with various
Lagos State and federal ministries and agencies. These partnerships enabled us to leverage resources, expertise, and support from both state and federal agencies, driving community development and progress.
“Functional Patrol Vehicles- Upon assuming office, we inherited a fleet of four patrol vehicles, but only one was operational, and a Tata Minibus had been abandoned. To boost security, our administration acquired three more functional patrol vehicles and a Mini Bus (Korope). Notably, Evercare Hospital generously donated one of the new patrol vehicles in 2022, showcasing the impact of community partnerships on our security infrastructure.
“Recreational Center- We are excited to announce that the LERA Recreational Center, a collaborative project with a private entity, is nearing completion. With 95% of the project finalized, we anticipate its imminent opening. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art gym equipment, providing residents with a world-class fitness experience. Updated financial members will enjoy access to the facility at a discounted rate, enhancing their overall living experience.
LERA News Magazine -To highlight the beauty and charm of Lekki Phase 1, we proudly launched the inaugural LERA News Magazine. This vibrant publication showcases our community’s attractions and keeps residents and corporate organizations informed about current events and happenings in Lekki. The magazine covers trends, pressing issues, and provides in-depth background information on news events in Lekki Phase 1, making it an indispensable resource for our community.
“Solar Inverter System – We identified the challenge of epileptic power supply at the Secretariat. To address this issue, we invested in a 5kva solar inverter system. This initiative has greatly improved the power situation at the Secretariat, providing a reliable and a sustainable source of energy.
“ Modern bus shelters – Last year, our administration initiated a project to construct modern bus-shelters at strategic locations within the scheme. To achieve this, we partnered with two reputable advert practitioners, Look Media and Moving Media. Each partner constructed a sample bus stop at Road 12 Junction (Access Bank), showcasing their design and quality. Although the samples are already built, we are still awaiting final approval from the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) and the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.
“Modern shuttle bus system – Our administration had envisioned transforming the rickety shuttle services in Lekki Phase 1 into a more standardized and efficient system.
As a step towards realizing this vision, we invited Lagos Bus Services to tour Lekki Phase 1 and assess the feasibility of operating here. Unfortunately, after their assessment, they ergretfully informed us that they cannot operate within the scheme. We would greatly appreciate it if the incoming administration could revisit this initiative and explore alternative solutions to provide a better transportation experience for our residents.
“Yearly Tradition – As a token of appreciation for their dedication and service to LERA, we have a yearly tradition of sending gifts in December to esteemed members such as the BOT, Past Chairmen etc.. This gesture is a small expression of our gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the Association over the years. It serves as a reminder that their efforts and commitment have not gone unnoticed, and we appreciate their continued support and guidance.
LERA’s Identification Card – As part of our efforts to enhance security and identification within our community, we produced ID cards for residents. These ID cards are designed to be used on various platforms, including elections, movement from zone to zone, access to the LERA gym, and eventually, the community center when completed. “
