Kunle Adelabu
Disturbed by the news that emanated from the Salvation Army Primary School, Ikorodu, regarding the distressed conditions of buildings in the school, the Chairman of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, on Monday (yesterday), paid a visit to ascertain the situation and called for quick intervention.
THE IMPACT, had in two reports, titled, “Salvation Army Pry School, Ikorodu: A School, Death Trap Or Animal Farm?”, with a rider, “Ceilings collapse on nursery pupils, injure one”, and “State Of Salvation Army Pry School Ikorodu: Govt Should Do Something Fast Because Children Lives Are In Danger – Sheikh Oshoala”, last week brought to the fore the greatly disturbing situation and infrastructural deficit in the school.
Though, the IKODASS Chairman said that the association does not have the capacity to rebuild any of the dilapidated structures within the school premises, he promised to ‘rescue’ the abandoned block of three classrooms which was facilitated by the former Senator of the Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, which has been abandoned over the years.
According to the information on the abandoned block, the IKODASS administration, between 2013 and 2015, initiated the construction of the block of three classrooms facilitated by Sen. Ashafa through the U.B.E project.
The building has not been in use because the floor has collapsed; most of the iron windows and doors are gone and ceiling vandalized, while human and livestocks’ defecate in the classrooms at will.
Mr Erogbogbo, who arrived the school unscheduled, was welcomed by the School Head Teacher, Mrs Memud, and other staff who quickly identified him.
He announced to the staff that he was visiting the school in his capacity as the Chairman of IKODASS, based on the disturbing report published last week.
After touring the five blocks of classrooms within the school premises, Erogbogbo announced to the management staff that showed him around, that the abandoned three blocks of classrooms can be salvaged by the IKODASS.
“This building can be salvaged and I think that we can do something about the collapsed floor, missing iron windows and doors and vandalized ceilings.
“We are going to screed the floor that has been destroyed and use slate for the ceiling to cover the roof. With that, cases of vandalism and theft would be forestalled.
“Though, we don’t have the money, we are approaching Ikorodu – Oga Day. We are going to use part of the fund generated to put this block back to something that the school can use.
“This calls for urgent and immediate attention because other blocks here are not fit for learning, except for this one (pointing to the a block of three classrooms facilitated by Hon. Babajimi Benson) that still look new.
“We will also ask our friends in the dredging business to support us with sands”, he told the Head of the School.
Mrs Memud, the School Head Teacher, thanked the IKODASS Chairman for the visit and his resolve to rescue the abandoned block of classrooms.
