Kunle Adelabu
Few weeks after the commissioning of the Igbe – Oreyo road in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area which he facilitated its construction, the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson, on Saturday, April 10, 2021, flagged – off the construction of a link road at Shams –el – Deen/Ayangbure International market, popularly known as Sabo market, in Ikorodu, Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
The road, when completed, will link Ayanbadejo, Ajoke Oduyebo, Nike Olubodu and Kas Avenue to Adeniran Ogunsanya and Sabo – Itamaga –Itoikin roads.
Residents of the areas, which has about six Community Development Associations (CDAs), and which have been without a good road for several years as the existing ones are all completely impassable, trooped out to welcome the youthful lawmaker with prayers and commendations for his people-oriented representation.
On his arrival for the official flag – off event, Rep. Benson embarked on the tour of the over 2kilometres road in the company of the residents of the area.
While the tour of the road was going on, more residents came out to hail the well-loved lawmaker by shouting his name and thanking him for facilitating the construction of the road.
THE IMPACT gathered that the actual construction on the road started about four weeks ago.
Hon. Benson, while addressing the residents at the event, said that the construction will be completed in four months and solicited for cooperation from members of the community.
“We are here today to properly flag – off the construction of this road which connects four road.
“We intend to complete this construction in four months”, he announced to the admiration of the cheering crowd.
He said that the road will have streetlights among other features when completed.
“We just completed Igbe road without any problem. In actual fact, the residents gave their support and cooperated with the contractor and we expect the same from you here”.
Hon. Benson also used the occasion to express his dismay over the low turnout for the APC registration in the area and called for an improvement since the ruling party’s government is bringing a big project to the area.
He thanked the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu and the Speaker, House of Representatives for their support.
Alhaji Olowofela Tomori, the Chairman of Olorunsogo-Efunbade CDA, in his response, pledged the support of the entire CDAs in the community to Hon. Benson and contractor handling the project.
“About four CDA Chairmen in this area are here today and we are going to give our support and cooperation towards the ongoing construction”, he said.
“You are going higher because we are sure that you will do very well if given a bigger opportunity”, he added.
Otunba Aleshinloye Rasheed, Onisigida CDA Chairman, in his remarks, also commended the federal lawmaker and assured him 100% support for the construction.
He recalled role played by His Eminence, Sheikh Yahya Oshoala, the Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque, in ensuring that the road is constructed while also commending the Councilor representing the area at the Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Banwo Hafeez, for his efforts too.
“We are very grateful and we thank you for your representation.
“You are going to get 100% cooperation from this community and we are ready to arrest anybody that disturbs the contractor and those working on the road”.
He said that the ongoing road construction has changed residents’ attitudes towards the ruling party and governance, adding that there will be improvement regarding residents’ registration as members of the APC.
“On the low registration in this area, we are assuring you that it will change and our people will start responding positively henceforth.
“This construction has changed our attitudes and mentality because people are tired of governance. As party members, we are not seeing any dividend until now that you are facilitating this”, he assured.
Engr. Odulate, Chairman, Kas Avenue CDA, in his own remark, also commended the lawmaker for facilitating the project.
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Sulaimon (Koroof) said that the community has been working for several years to see that the roads are attended to without any response.
He thanked Hon. Benson for facilitating the construction during his time a representative.
Hon. Banwo Alade Azeez, Councilor representing Ward D in Ikorodu Local Government, speaking with our reporter, also commended Rep. Benson for putting smiles on the faces of residents ofcthe area.
Alade, who said that the lawmaker learnt about the state of the road a couple of months back, said that residents initially did not believe that it would be done.
“We are happy and really appreciate Hon. Babajimi Benson for facilitating this road. He learnt about it some months back and he quickly responded and to our surprise, we saw engineers moving in to start construction.
“Where our people have encroached on the road, Hon. Benson in his own judgment asked that manual labour should be adopted and not excavators in order to protect people’s properties.
“The construction work is going on as we speak. The four roads that are linking each other are over 2kilometres.
“The CDAs and the entire community are happy. Initially, they never believed and thought that it was the usual political promises that will not be actualized but to their surprise, it is happening. They are fulfilled and have been praying for the honourable”, he said.
