Kunle Adelabu
-Distributes Xmas food items to hundreds of residents
Two fully equipped Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been commissioned to further enhance Ikorodu Federal Constituency residents’ access to good medical cares.
The projects, sited in Ibeshe and Agbele in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Ikorodu Local Government respectively, were facilitated by the two – term representatives of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson.
The PHCs are part of the people-oriented projects, most of which are still ongoing, facilitated by the lawmaker.
Hon. Benson, speaking at the commissioning events of the health centres, thanked residents of the benefitting communities for electing and re – electing him to represent them in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
He also thanked them for electing Mr Adetokunbo Abiru in the last bye – election as Senator to represent the Lagos East Senatorial District.
He said further that the commissioned medical facilities were provided to improve constituents’ access to medical facilities.
“The health centre is meant to improve our people’s access to medical facilities. We are not just commissioning the project but also providing drugs and equipment”, Hon. Benson said while commissioning the PHC at Ibeshe.
While stating other projects that are still in the pipeline, the two – term lawmaker also announced the donation of 15 mini-solar power system for the clinic and those that cannot afford to pay for electricity.
At the commissioning of the PHC in Agbele, the lawmaker commended the Ikorodu LG Chairman, Councilor representing Ward F, CDA and community leaders for their responsiveness and tenacity in the completion of the project within the specified time.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, also speaking at the commissioning of the PHC in Ibeshe, stated that:
“I thank Hon. Benson for bringing this project to our community. He is doing very well and delivering quality representation despite having more councils than his colleagues in the House of Representatives”.
The royal father requested for the deployment of nurses to the clinic and specifically asked that some of the nurses should be made to work at night to attend to residents’ medical needs.
He also requested for the presence of security men to secure the clinic and medical equipment in it.
Chairman of the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini, speaking in Ibeshe during the commissioning, said that the project will add value to the host community while also commending the federal lawmaker for his quality representation.
“This is a project that will add value to the community and it is commendable.
“Despite Hon. Benson’s enormous national assignment, he still finds time to come back to his constituency and facilitate numerous projects.
“He is a pride to Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ikorodu Division, Lagos State and the nation at large”.
The Council Chairman pledged to support the PHC with necessary staff while charging the community to take ownership of the clinic and safeguard it.
“I will ensure that adequate nurses and other staff are posted to the place for work to commence immediately.
“I want to appeal to the community that they should take ownership of the facility and protect it”.
Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, speaking during the commissioning of the PHC at Agbele in Ikorodu, was also full of commendations for Hon. Benson and described the process of the project initiation and completion as the fastest he has ever witnessed.
“I will continue to commend Hon. Babajimi Benson for facilitating laudable projects across the Ikorodu Division.
“There is a mini-stadium that is ongoing at Ita – Elewa as well as the construction of many schools that are also going on simultaneously at different locations”.
On the PHC, Hon. Adeshina said that he received a call from the lawmaker requesting land for the project and after contacting the Councilor representing the ward who also contacted community leaders, the project commenced.
“This is a project that was started as soon as the land was made available and completed on time”, the Council Chairman said.
“If things like this had been happening, Ikorodu would have been transformed. Others too should emulate Hon. Babajimi Benson”.
Chief Adenrele Olowu, APC Chieftain who attended the distribution of food items and commissioning of the two PHCs, said that the facilities will add value to the communities that they are located in.
He commended the lawmaker for delivering quality representation while also charging the host communities to ensure that the medical facilities are put into proper use.
Alhaji Musliu Animashaun (De Cubano), another APC Chieftain, stated that Hon. Benson is adequately covering every part of the Ikorodu Division in his representation.
The APC Caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Longe, also commended the lawmaker for embarking on projects that are impacting on the populace and for representing their party and the people very well
Baale of Agbele, Alhaji Taole Sulaimon, in his own remarks, described the PHC project located in his community as commendable.
He recommended Hon. Benson for higher political position based on his people-oriented projects and his accessibility and availability for his people.
Meanwhile, the Director – General of iCare Foundation, Hon. Babajimi Benson’s working team, said that the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant social distancing protocol limited the group to engaging in house-to-house distribution of its monthly food items to vulnerable people instead of the physical distribution that was formerly adopted.
He added that the group started the monthly food distribution in 2015 without break but was only able to carry out the distribution for11 month this year instead of the normal 12 months due to the pandemic.
“Although, COVID – 19 prevented us from distributing the monthly food ratio but we still reached out to the beneficiaries 11 times instead of the 12 that we desired.
“Between February and April, we provided palliatives four times. We also got a partner that provided food items for Ikorodu people using our platform.
“Our platform also assisted the Lagos State Government in distributing food items to the people of Ikorodu during the COVID-19 lockdown and we ensured that the palliative items got to those that they were meant for.
“We have also been taking palliatives to people in their homes in compliance with COVID-19 protocols”.
He also disclosed that there will be changes in their strategy, regarding the distribution of the monthly food items to ensure that they get to people that are actually in need.
