Kunle ADELABU & Wale JAGUN
-It is wrong to relocate the council secretariat for the mall – Hon. Animashaun
Major stakeholders in Ikorodu Division have again thrown their supports behind the state government’s quest to build a shopping mall in Ikorodu.
According to them, the development would enhance social and economic growth of Ikorodu division.
The support for the proposed project is coming on the heel of criticism from a section of the division against the proposed usage of the land occupied by the Ikorodu Local Government as the site for the project.
THE IMPACT gathered that the project was conceived after study by the state government revealed that large number of residents from Ikorodu division patronize the Shoprite mall at Ikeja.
According to some of the stakeholders, over 40% of those going to the Ikeja mall on daily basis are from Ikorodu division, thus, the need to bring one to the division to save the hours being wasted by residents in commuting from Ikorodu to Ikeja and other parts of the state to shop.
According to them, citing of the mall in Ikorodu would also reduced traffic on the road and save residents economic power.
But the project was without opposition as some residents, despite welcoming the idea, kicked against the proposed usage of the land housing the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat as site for the project.
One of those people who shared this opinion is Hon. Ola Animashaun, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and former Special Adviser to the former Minister for Works and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Seye Ogunlewe.
However, while speaking on the development, the former deputy governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, urged the Lagos State Government and the investors to carry on with the project which he described as a project that would be of great benefit to the people of Ikorodu division.
He explained that Ikorodu people, during a Town hall meeting held to discuss the proposed shopping mall, had agreed that the state government should site the facility on the present location of the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat for the benefits of everyone in the division.
He stated that Ikorodu division would be the greatest beneficiary of the project when it finally berthed.
“The government should carry on with the project. It would be of great benefit to our people. There would be employment opportunities for many of our youths. It would also enhance our social and economic status.
“Ikorodu will also be getting a modern secretariat courtesy of the Lagos State Government.”
Prince Ogunleye allayed fears on the relocation of the council secretariat, stating that the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) on the land is being issued in the name of the Ikorodu Local Government as the owner of the property.
“The Certificate of Occupancy is in the name of Ikorodu Local Government. We are going to benefit greatly from the investment. In other areas where the shopping mall has been built, there are benefits accruing to host councils. As a result, there are dividends that would be accruing to Ikorodu Local Government from the returns on the mall.”
Explaining the rationale behind the relocation of the council secretariat, Prince Ogunleye stated that the present structure accommodating the staff members of the council cannot be maintained, adding that the new structure would enhance efficiency.
“I do visit the council when necessary and what I have noticed is that the structure is deteriorating. The council do not have the required resources to maintain the secretariat. It is too big for them manage.
“We had that place when Ikorodu was one local government with large staff members, but today, we now have one local government and five local council development areas with each having separate secretariats. Ikorodu local government alone cannot manage the council”, he clarified.
“What matter most for Ikorodu administration is for the council to perform effectively and efficiently and that is what the new secretariat would bring. The government is going to build that for Ikorodu.”
Explaining that the decision to use the council land for the construction of shopping mall was taken with the consent of the generality of the people, Prince Ogunleye stated that stakeholders across the division had gathered about a year ago to deliberate and decide on the decision at the Ikorodu town hall.
“We had a stakeholders’ meeting at the Ikorodu town hall about a year ago where everyone was invited and the proposal was tabled before them. It was at the meeting that Ikorodu people approved the siting of the shopping mall where the council secretariat is standing today.
“We also had a meeting with the governor where we confirmed that we want the project and it was at that meeting he assured us that the state government will fund the construction of a new secretariat to be located on the open ground at Ita-Elewa, which is big enough to accommodate a befitting council secretariat for Ikorodu.
“From the information available to me, the construction of the shopping mall and the new secretariat would commence at same time.
“Meanwhile, temporary office apartments have been rented by the investors to accommodate the operations of the council pending the time the new secretariat would be ready”.
He appealed to residents to support the development in the interest of the division.
Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, the first Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG) and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in an interview with THE IMPACT recently, also spoke in support of the project.
“On the shopping mall, it’s the IBILE Properties that is bringing the mall to Ikorodu. What we gathered is that about 52% of the shoppers patronizing the Ikeja Shoprite plaza are from Ikorodu division. Sometime last year when the idea was conceived by the IBILE Properties, the governor sent for me and Prince Ogunleye. In attendance at that meeting was the General Manager of IBILE, Mr Amokomowo”, h e said while narrating how the project was conceived.
“The governor briefed us about the shopping mall, stating that it will be sited on the council land and promised to relocate the council secretariat elsewhere with a befitting structure. Although, we were satisfied with the presentations, but we still requested that the governor should still convey a larger meeting to brief stakeholders in Ikorodu division, which he did.
“At that larger meeting, Prince Ogunleye and I were there as well as Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Princess Aderenle Ogunsanya, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja. I think the Obas were there too.
“ It was at that meeting that we were properly briefed about the project and other projects that the governor is planning to execute in Ikorodu, including the two roads (Ebute-Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed Tinubu-Igbe and Agric-Owutu-Arepo roads) which are now under construction.
“It was at that meeting that we were told that a new structure for the Ikorodu LG Secretariat would be erected at the site where the former council headquarters was located opposite the Post Office at Ita-Elewa,Ikorodu.
Basorun explained that the project, when completed, would align Ikorodu division with the Mega City development of Lagos State.
“We were told that recreational centres and other facilities would come along with the shopping mall when completed for the use of Ikorodu people. The project is part of what would complement the Lagos State Mega City Project. Though, I’m aware that there have been hues and cries regarding the project.”
The former SSG denounced the allegation of sellout and reiterated that the decision to site the project on the council land was taken in good faith.
“I had to engage a person who stated that it was a sell-out. How is that a sell-out? Has anybody been paid compensation which we shared? Or is it because we were consulted on plans to bring development to Ikorodu division and in our own judgment, we felt that it is right, does that makes it a sell-out?
“What is being proposed is in the interest of Ikorodu division. Why do we need to go to Shopping mall at Ikeja when we can have same here and increase our own wealth rather than spending the money in Ikeja which would increase the wealth of the area. Those who do not understand the rationale behind the new development should see it from this angle” , he explained.
He also assured that the new secretariat that is been proposed would be a befitting one.
“Where the new council would be located is very befitting for Ikorodu. Some of us regard the new location as the heart with which Ikorodu breadth. It’s an excellent location. I hope that it would not take the government too long to build the befitting council secretariat at that place.”
Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, a former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in the state, while also speaking on the issue, said that the proposed shopping mall is in line with the regional masterplan and development of the whole of Lagos State.
“The shopping mall is a proposition by the Lagos State Goivernment in line with the Regional Masterplan and Development of the whole of Lagos State.
“From the statistics gathered by the government, we gathered that people from Ikorodu constitutes about 40% of those that are patronizing the Ikeja Shopping Mall.
“That was what led to the government conceiving the idea of the shopping mall with cinema and other facilities. It would be a great service to the children, adults and everyone in Ikorodu. It would also minimize the rate by which Ikorodu residents commute to the Shoprite in Ikeja to shop Ikorodu.
He explained that re-allocation of land resources is normal in development plan.
“When developing a town, it is not out of place to re-allocate resources that are available and if we (Ikorodu) really desire to be part of the mega-city status of the state, we have to start looking at the cost and benefits of projects, where the benefits out weight the cost, like in this case, I think that we should just give in.
“In my own opinion, I agree with the government proposal for the benefits of our children, commuters and the general opportunities that it would create for the people of Ikorodu division.
Corroborating Prince Ogunleye’s statements,, the former Commissioner stated that due process were followed in sensitizing the people on the project at a town hall meeting where the proposal was tabled and approved.
He also added, “Interestingly, the land is still registered under the name of Ikorodu Local Government for the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), which means that the ownership of the land still resides with the Ikorodu Local Government. It is not sold, but leased” , Asipa Kaoli clarified.
Speaking on the advantage of the projects, he stated that, “The project would create opportunities of employment, boost local economy and provide facilities for children and others interested in sight-seeing, excursion, shopping as well as minimize the traffic we see on the Ikorodu road.
Also speaking in support of the development is the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Shotobi.
He visited the council secretariat recently to meet with the management and staff members of the council on the imperativeness of allowing the construction of the shopping mall to commence on the council land.
While addressing the council’s staff members at the secretariat hall, Oba Shotobi stated that the relocation of the council’s secretariat is to ensure that work start in earnest on the shopping mall which, according to him, would bring development to Ikorodu division.
“The development that we have been looking forward 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 of the shopping mall is that the council has to move from this location.
“The governor has provided us with a new location which is a temporary office complex that we are moving into today ( Monday, June 9).
“I have come to beg everyone of you to bear with us on this situation. We are just going to stay at the temporary office for some months pending the time the permanent structure for the council would be completed”, Kabiyesi appealed.
“Where we are moving to has been paid for since. The main reason I came here today is to appeal to you to relocate to the place to enable work to commence on the project.
“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.
Mr Oke Godwin Olaoluwa, an Economist and one of the brains behind the 1st Ikorodu Division Economic Summit that was successfully held earlier in the year, in his own contribution, also supported the idea of siting the shopping more in Ikorodu.
“The construction of a shopping mall in Ikorodu is a welcome development”, he stated.
“It shows that Ikorodu has been recognised by the state government as an emerging city that deserves ultra modern facilities.
He described the mall as an opportunity to attract new investments to Ikorodu and empowered the residents.
“The mall, no doubt, will attract new investment opportunities into the community. I expect multinational retails stores to open shops in lkorodu soon, also it will generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities for residents alike. Residents will also have the opportunity to relax and have fun after a stressful day” , he explained.
“In recent times, lkorodu division has witnessed influx of people from the Lagos City centre into the community. Report has shown that our population has grown to 5 million people. So, the market is there, the environment is peaceful, and also basic infrastructures are being upgraded regularly”, he added.
Comrade Sesan Daini, the Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, speaking on behalf of the six council chairmen in Ikorodu division, stated that they are in full support of the project and are also ready to give necessary support towards its actualization.
Meanwhile, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Ola Animashaun, has condemned the decision to relocate the council secretariat from its current location for the shopping mall , stating that such decision is against the dream of the builders of the Secretariat.
“Those who moved the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat from Ita-Elewa had a dream. They wanted a befitting Secretariat that would be big enough to accommodate members of staff comfortably and also be conducive and accessible for delivery of government businesses and social services and they actualised that dream ”, he said while reacting to the issue on THE IMPACT Newspaper –Community Facebook wall.
“Now, some myopic rent seeking individuals are about to turn that dream to a market and relocate the local government, from a purpose built edifice to a block of flats.”
He also raised issued on the rented apartment where the council workers are to be housed temporarily pending the time the government would complete the new council secretariat at the open ground opposite Post Office at Ita-Elewa in Ikorodu.
“I have never seen where a functioning government secretariat gave way to a privately owned glorified market – equally compounded by chasing government workers to ill equipped rented apartments to discharge their duties.”
