Kunle Adelabu
The Councilor representing Ward D area in the Legislative Arm of the Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Banwo Alade Hazeez, has narrated how the representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson intervened to bring relief to residents of Shams – el – Deen and Sabo area of Ikorodu.
Rep. Benson on Saturday officially flagged – off the construction of four connecting roads – Ayanbadejo, Ajoke Oduyebo, Noke Olubodu and Kas Avenue roads that will link the Ikorodu – Itamaga – Itoikin and Adeniran Ogunsanya roads.
Hon. Banwo, speaking with THE IMPACT on Monday (today), said that prayers of the community, which has about six CDAs, was answered after he met Hon. Benson and narrated the agonies of residents of the Shams – el – Deen and Sabo areas to him.
According to report gathered, Hon. Banwo had nominated Ayanbadejo Street for Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu’s intervention while the construction of drainages on both sides of the road that link Adeniran Ogunsanya (Sabo) road, had commenced months back.
According to Hon. Banwo, his expectations were not met as the project he nominated was just 300metres and will not cover much area.
“I had actually facilitated the construction of drainages on both sides of Ayanbadejo Street which is one of the four roads that Hon. Babajimi Benson is now facilitating its total reconstruction/construction” he said.
“I did the nomination of the project through the Governor’s Ward project picked by Councilors across the state and supervised by the nominees.
“It was a 300metre drainage that was approved for the Ayanbadejo road which didn’t get to my target spots nor runs through Jammaitul Islamiyyah Primary School and Shams – el – Deen Grammar School” a disappointed Councilor added.
He said that he initiated contact with Rep Benson and later met him at his Constituency office in Ikorodu to seek for his assistance in putting smile on the faces of residents of Shams – el – Deen area by constructing their road that has turned a nightmare for years.
“I later informed JB (Hon. Benson) through text messages about the need, importance and viability of those roads and he said there’s no problem.
“At a later day, I was told by my Ward Chairman, Mr Kazeem Akinpelu, that they are meeting with our federal lawmaker and I told him to remind him about my discussion with him concerning our road which he did.
“Afterwards, I went to the Hon. Benson’s constituency office where I met him and reiterated our needs, regarding the text sent to him and surprisingly, he asked one Mr Shobowale to follow me and that’s how we got here”, he explained.
“I thank God for this development. I thank Hon Babajimi Benson for his willingness to help our community with the construction of the roads.
“I also thank God for using me for my constituents”.
He assured the federal lawmaker that residents of the community will give necessary support and cooperation to the contractor as requested.
“I can assure our Honourable that nobody will disturb those handling the construction works because they know what we went through in getting those roads fixed.
“Moreover, most youths in that axis are well educated and they’re of good characters and behaviours. The entire community will cooperate with Hon. Benson and the contractor and ensure that the roads are fixed in good time”.
More so, THE IMPACT gathered that prior to the intervention by Hon. Benson, the community had made several efforts in calling the attention of both the state and local governments to the state of the roads in that community, especially the Ayanbade Street which has two educational facilities – Shams – el – Deen High School and Jamaitul Islamiyah Primary School, Ikorodu.
His Eminence, Sheikh Yayha Oshoala As – Samadani, the Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque, we gathered played very prominent roles in seeing that the roads get needed government’s attention but all to no avail until the intervention of Hon. Benson.
It was also gathered that the Wole Ajeboriogbon Street, another road in the area which intersects Ayanbadejo Street, was picked for construction during the regime of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode but instead, the contract was allegedly taken to somewhere else in Ikorodu.
