Kunle Adelabu
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, has commended the Lagos State Government on the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of projects in his domain, stating that they will engender further developments.
Oba Kasali spoke with THE IMPACT in his palace on the ongoing construction of the Igbogbo stadium, rehabilitation and upgrading of the Igbogbo Reading into a library and upgrading of the Igbogbo Primary Centre to a Comprehensive health facility.
However, the monarch, who recently marked his five years coronation anniversary, also expressed some reservations.
“The commencement of the construction of the stadium, for us in Igbogbo, is a very good development and we are appreciative of it”, Oba Kasali said.
“It is long overdue but we are very grateful to the governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for the approval and commencement of the project.
“The Commissioner for Budget had informed us that the governor has approved and released money for the construction and it gladdens our heart to hear that work has commenced on the construction.
“It is what we have been yearning for and it would go a long way in engendering development in the community.
“It will bring about social and economic developments in Igbogbo and a great relief to youths that have been yearning for the facilities to develop their sporting talents”, Kabiyesi said.
“Above all, it is a potential breeding ground for sport men and women that will represent Igbogbo and Ikorodu division generally at state, national and international levels", he added.
The revered royal father, however, said that there is need for the contractor carry the palalce and entire Igbogbo community along in the execution of the project.
“The project is ours and the only way that we can take ownership and be part of it is when we are in the know of what the contract entails so that we can monitor properly”, Oba Kasali said while registering his displeasure.
The lawyer turned traditional ruler also thanked the state government, led by Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for rehabilitating the Igbogbo Reading Room and upgrading it to a library, while adding that the community is actually expecting a complete construction.
He charged that the learning facility should be fully equipped with modern library facilities when completed.
“It is a very good development and we are thankful to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for the intervention after many years that the structure had been abandoned”, Oba Kasali said.
“We are actually expecting a complete reconstruction, whereby, the structure would be demolished and raised to accommodate the envisaged population of students that would utilise the facility and not rehabilitation of the existing structure”, Kabiyesi added.
“We hope that the place will be fully upgraded with internet and other facilities and also make it conform with modern standards”, the Adeboruwa added.
Adeboruwa also commended the Lagos State Government on the upgrading of the Igbogbo Primary Health Centre to a Comprehensive Health Centre. However, he said that the community still expects a general hospital.
“We appreciate the work that is also ongoing at the Igbogbo Primary Health Centre which I know would further and better serve our people’s health needs”, Oba Kasali said on the upgrading of the Igbogbo PHC.
“Though, we crave for a general hospital in Igbogbo to cater for the increasing population in our community but what the government is doing now is upgrading the existing Primary Health Centre into a Comprehensive Health Centre.
“We had hoped that the government would combine the existing PHC, which has now been upgraded, with the abandoned Federal Medical Centre on Iyewa road, for the mini – general hospital.
“More people are moving into Igbogbo and the existing facilities are inadequate to cater for the increasing population.
“Igbogbo now needs a health facility that will provide 24 hours medical services for our people”, Adeboruwa said.
