By Bose Adelaja
CITIZENS COMPASS —Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has responded to a public outcry with a promise to fix the dilapidated Gberigbe Road in Ward D2, Constituency 1, Agura Gberigbe in Ikorodu Central area of the State.
The Governor also promised to extend developmental projects to the rural areas under his jurisdiction.
He made the promise yesterday, during the 2023 Community Day which took place in Ikeja, Lagos.
The programme with the theme, “Community Engagement: A Veritable Tool for Infrastructure Development in Rural Communities” was organised by Lagos State Government Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development under the leadership of the Honourable Commissioner, Mr Bolaji Kayode Robert popularly known as Bibiire.
According to the Governor, the 2024 budget had been presented to the State House of Assembly and once it is approved, the state will continue in its developmental deveprojects including fixing of Gberigbe and some other dilapidated roads in the State.
Sanwo-Olu promised to extend developmental projects to Agbado, Iju/Ishaga, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Yaba and Ikorodu among others in due course.
He said the reason why “Rural Development” was added to the portfolio of the Ministry of Local Government is to extend development to the rural areas as this will no longer be concentrated on the island alone.
“He also added that the State is constructing new roads to ease traffic gridlock across the State.
“We are not going to leave you in various communities, we will continue to provide amenities for all of you in rural areas. We are not going to stay at the Ikoyi and Island axis. We are going to reach out to all the nooks and crannies of the State.
“Today, we are here to appreciate you and thank you for your efforts aimed at developing the grassroots. As you know, we have slashed the transport fare. We have provided palliatives of foodstuff.
” We are going to do more. But the cost of drugs is also rising. As a responsive and responsible government, we will also provide palliatives on medicines.
Among other things, he said he had noticed that many patients in the State, could no longer afford to buy drugs for their ailment, assuring that his administration will subsidise the price of medicines in Lagos hospitals as part of palliatives.
“You all were invited in January where we told you that you are important. We told you we have added rural development to our works so that we can develop the rural areas, we shall complete Gberigbe Road because we have inspected and included it in our plans. We shall complete every project we started, “ he said.
In attendance were the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ranodu of Imota, Olu of Oregun, Olu of Agboyi and the Elegbeda of Egbeda among others.
In his Welcome Address, Dr Nurudeen Yekinni Lanre Agbaje said the annual event is part of Sanwo-Olu’s administration, to appreciate Community Development Committees in the State for executing self-help projects across Lagos.
He said the rural development agenda of Mr Governor is to enable him access the needs of rural communities and proffer solution to them.
Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the event, the Chairman of the Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC) Alhaji Azeez Amusat, said his committee coordinates and directs all the affairs of Community Development Committees and Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the State.
He said CDAC also offers advice to the Governor where necessary. “At the state level, we have been advising CDAs that they should not allow cancellation of monthly environmental sanitation in the State to stop them from holding meetings.
“The meetings are important because it allows dissemination of information and regular updates,”
He urged residents to participate in CDA activities, “this is where the issues regarding your community will be discussed, so, attendance is very important, “
On the annual event, he said, “it is a day where communities are rewarded for executing self-help projects in their areas.
The CDAC Chairman appreciated the Governor for his support and urged CDCs and CDAs to be committed.
In her Vote of Thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development; Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa appreciated Mr Governor for his steadfastness and commitment to grassroots development and most especially towards the realisation of today’s celebration.
There was presentation of N500, 000 consolation prizes to four communities each and presentation of four 18-seater brand new buses as grand prizes to four best CDAs.
They were Greenland Estate CDA in Eti-Osa East LCDA; Royal Estate CDA in Egbe-Idimu LCDA and Elepe Royal Estate in Ikorodu Council Area, while the Best Rural Community award went to Araromi CDA in Ibeji Lekki LCDA.
CDC Chairman, Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu Division, Pastor Abayomi Adelakun expressed satisfaction at the annual event Lanre Obanisola, Secretary, CDC Zone 4 in Igbogbo-Baiyeku urged the government to expedite action on rehabilitation of Igbogbo-Baiyeku Road which commenced in July 2023.
