Kunle Adelabu
-LASG promises to complete Jimoh Alliu Street
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on Friday, December 3, 2021, commissioned five link roads in Ikorodu, a project which has significantly transformed the entire Sabo area of the town.
The number four man in the country was joined by many dignitaries including members of the House of Representatives, Chieftains of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), traditional rulers, Lagos State officials of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), state lawmakers, traditional chiefs and eminent people.
The massive road construction was facilitated by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defense and the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the lower chamber, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson.
The road network commissioned were – Kaz Avenue, Ayanbadejo, Adeboriogbon, Nike Olubodun and Ajoke Oduyebo Streets. All the roads are behind the Ayangbure International market (Sabo) and link the ever – busy Sabo road to Sabo – Itamaga – Itoikin roads.
Another set of link roads, which construction was also facilitated by Hon. Benson, was commissioned same day by the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Sefiudeen Ademoritan Olowo-Oribi, at Igbamitayo, Ademoye and Alashe Streets behind the Ikorodu Divisional Police Headquarters. The roads link the Igbogbo road with Ireshe and Aga roads.
Speaking at the commissioning, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila said that he was happy to come to celebrate with the people of Ikorodu.
He said that lkorodu Division has been transformed since the inception of the Hon. Benson’s representation and commended the two-term lawmaker for its contributions toward the division’s development.
“I am happy to be in Ikorodu to celebrate with the people. Ikorodu has been in existence for a very long time and it has continued to witness transformations since Hon. Benson’s emergence as its representative”.
He warned those that are aspiring to take over from Hon. Benson to exercise patience because he is still very much active and ready to creditably perform more.
“We should allow others to aspire because that is how we give our party people patronage. We must allow any other person that feels he is interested to contest, but, we must let them know that Hon. Benson is still on duty and not yet tired. They need to mellow down”, Speaker Gbajabiamila said.
“The Ikorodu – Shagamu road’s construction has been made possible because of Hon. Benson. He has also facilitated the construction of Igbe road.
“Today, we are here to commission 1.6km road and on my way, I saw students happy while they were plying the road on their way back home”, Mr Speaker said.
The Representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Benson, expressed his happiness at the Speaker’s presence for the commissioning, describing the gesture as part of the Speaker’s support for him.
“I am most happy today to have the Speaker here in Ikorodu to commission the link roads.
“As part of his support, the Speaker made me the Chairman of one of the most important and powerful committees in the House.
“I thank you Mr Speaker for the support and guidance”, the two – term lawmaker said.
In his own remarks, Pastor Cornelius Ojelade, APC State Chairman, also commended the lawmaker for delivering quality representation to his people and representing the party very well.
“Hon. Babajimi Benson has been able to bring dividends of democracy to Ikorodu people and that is why we have the Speaker here to commission the road”, he said.
He charged Ikorodu residents to revalidate their INEC card in preparation for the coming elections.
At the commissioning of the three link roads behind the Police Barracks, Dr Frederick Oladeinde, Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, while commending Hon. Benson, also assured that the ongoing projects in Ikorodu will be completed.
The lawmaker, after the commissioning, toured the constructed roads with Chief Imam Seifudeen Olowo-Oribi, Commissioner Frederick Oladeinde and Hon. Olusesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
“I am very proud of Hon. Babajimi Benson for what he has been doing in Ikorodu. LHis developmental efforts are in tandem with what the state government is doing in Ikorodu”, the Commissioner said.
“I am here to identify with Hon. Benson and I congratulate him for his achievements. He deserves third term and we will support him.
“Lagos State Government will complete its ongoing projects in Ikorodu. The Igbogbo and Owutu road roads will be completed.
“We are also going to rehabilitate the Ikorodu roundabout”, he added.
“Very soon, we will start the 4th Mainland Bridge and that will connect several parts of Ikorodu”.
Commissioner Oladeinde, while responding to Hon. Benson’s challenge that his Ministry should take – up the construction of Imam Alliu road which deplorable condition had been prostested by residents, responded positively that the Lagos State Government will do the project.
The Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, Builder Sesan Daini commended Hon. Benson for representing Ikorodu very well.
“I thank you for not disappointing us in Ikorodu. You have been a very good example for many of us with the way you have been going about your legislative duty”, he said.
“Hon. Benson is not partial in his judgment. He has touched every part of his constituency. If he has not come to your area, you can be rest assured that he will still impact positively”.
The Grand Chief Imam, Ikorodu Division, Sheikh Sefiudeen Olowo-Oribi, described the lawmaker’s intervention on the link roads as divine after they had lost hope.
“The construction of these link roads was due to God’s intervention because we had written many letters and made several contacts. In the process, we made enemies with many people”, the religious leader said.
“I queried the rationale behind taking the measurements of the roads again when the construction works were about to start because we had witnessed several of that over the years.
“So, this is really a divine intervention through Hon. Benson and we commend him for his representation”, Chief Imam Olowo-Oribi added.
