Kunle ADELABU
After months of dillying-dallying on the movement of staff members and properties of the Ikorodu Local Government to the temporary office complex along Lagos road,Ikorodu, the movement finally commenced on Monday, July 9, 2018.
The movement was due to the intervention by the traditional ruler of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, who personally visited the council with his chiefs to appeal to the council’s staff members.
Oba Shotobi led the Council Chairman, Hon. Wasiu Adesina, Vice Chairman, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, members of the Legislative Arm and other senior staff members of the council to the temporary office where it was blessed for operations after tour of the facility.
At the new temporary Office Complex, the council chairman signed a document to officially commemorate the relocation of the council from the T.O.S Benson Avenue to Lagos Road.
While addressing the council’s staff members at the secretariat hall, the royal father stated that the relocation is to ensure that work start in earnest on the shopping mall which, according to him, would bring development to Ikorodu.
“The development that we have been looking for to in Ikorodu has come and we are using this location for that which is going to be of great benefits to us at the long run.
“We have been meeting to make sure that the developmental plan for this location comes to a reality.
“Part of the requirements for the development that we want in Ikorodu is that the council has to move from this location.
“The governor has provided us with a new location which is a temporary office that we are moving into today ( Monday, June 9).
“I have come to beg everyone of you to bear with the situation. We are just going to stay at the temporary office for some months pending the time that the permanent structure for the council would be completed”, Kabiyesi appealed.
“I have been blaming the Council Chairman and others for the delay in the commencement of the project because the council has refused to move but he has been saying that they are ready. I have come today so that we can move out of the council secretariat together today.
“Where we are moving to has been paid for since. The main reason I came here today is to appeal to you.
“I want you to join me in achieving this project for Ikorodu. I have heard people saying that we sold the land. But let me tell you that I will never compromise the future of Ikorodu. Posterity would judge me”, Kabiyesi stated.
“From today henceforth, the Chairman and Council Manager will not sign any paper in this council again except at the new office complex, the monarch stated.
While speaking with the reporters, Oba Shotobi stated, “Basically, economic development is the main reason we are moving out of this present location.
“We are thankful to the governor of Lagos State for bringing the shopping mall to Ikorodu. This would help us develop economically and socially”.
Hon. Wasiu Adesina, the chairman of the council,while addressing the council’s staff members, thanked Oba Shotobi for supporting the project.
“I want to appreciate our royal father for throwing his weight behind this shopping mall project in Ikorodu. We have no excuse not to make it work if the royal father is ready.
“It is a thing of joy that the Kabiyesi is supporting this laudable project.
Hon. Adesina clarified that the landed property upon which the council secretariat is situated is being leased for the development project and not sold.
“Ikorodu Local Government is still the owner of the property. We are only leasing it to help bring economic advancement to our people in Ikorodu.
“The project that we are talking about is going to improve our standard of living in Ikorodu. This is the reason we all have to join hands to support the project.
“Look around, the secretariat is under-utilised and we are to allow for development that would impact greatly on us.
‘We are going to a temporary office for some months after which we shall move into a permanent office secretariat which is going to be a standard structure that would promote efficiency and effectiveness”, he assured.
Speaking at the temporary office, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government stated, “It’s greater height for us in Ikorodu and we are thankful to the governor. The project, when completed, would creates job opportunities for us in Ikorodu.
“This is just the beginning of many great things that the governor has promised to do for us in Ikorodu” , she stated.
Hon. Omotayo Awolesi, the Majority Leader of the Council, while also speaking with THE IMPACT, stated that all the Councilors are also in support of the project.
Mr Kunle Dipe, the Head of Administration of the Council, stated that the entire staff members of the council are also in support of the project.
