Kunle Adelabu
-Flags off another 1.5kilometre road project
Rep. Babajimi Benson, Chairman, House Comiittee on Defense speaking during the flag off of the construction of 1.5kilometrwe road project that he facilitated in his Constituency.
The Representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Defense, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, has expressed his displeasure oer the state of the 2.2kilometre lgbe road which he helped its full reconstruction two years ago.
In recognition of the lawmaker’s efforts in rehabilitating the road which was unpassable for over two decades, the road was renamed Rep. Babajimi Benson Road, while award was also presented to him and others that contributed to the reconstruction of the road, by the Igbe Road Road Rehabilitation Committee (IRRC).
Hon. Benson expressed his displeasure during the flag – off of a 1.5kilometre Ajose/Oke – Oko/Ibeshe Road, Owode – Ibeshe, Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, on Saturday, September 17, 2022.
The road which is expected to be completed within two months would have street lights, drainages on BOT sides and tarred with asphalt.
A caterpillar working during the flag off
The road rehabilitation is being facilitated under the Defense Headquarters Civil – Military Cooperation Project.
Unfortunately, the Igbe road which was commissioned by the Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, and which its reconstruction has brought a positive turn socially and economically to the entire Igbe and adjoining communities, is lacking the needed maintenance.
Despite the pledge by the IRRC and the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA during the commissioning, that the road would be maintained and a Maintenance Committee put in place, several parts of the road have again collapsed due to the failure to evacuate the drainages which have been filled with sands and causing flood to overflow on the road.
“You must thank the Defense Headquarters for giving us this road, especially the Chief of Defense Staff, General Irabor, for this laudable project”, he said.
“The road we have facilitated here is much and we could spread it into three communities, but for some people that are involved. We had to move the whole 1,5Kilometre road down here and I am happy about it. It’s not easy but I thank God that it’s finally here.
Reacting to the comment of Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, under whose council the Igbe road is, that residents of Ajose/Oke-Oko, Ibeshe, should pray and ensure that they vote en masse for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming election as a way of appreciating the young federal lawmaker, Rep. Benson said that the residents should also be ready to maintain the road after its completion.
Rep. Babajimi Benson (right), Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun GAC chieftain (middle) and Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, IgbogboBayeku LCDA a the flag off .
He said that the failure of the lgbe community to evacuate sands that filled the drains is causing flood to spill on the road and this, according to him, is responsible for the damage on the road just two years after reconstruction.
“It’s not just two things as mentioned by Sesan (Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA) that I needed from this community, but also maintenance of the road. There is another road that we facilitated its reconstruction in a CDA that I always referred to as the best CDA”, he said.
“It is a 2.2kilometre road which can be divided into three and spread to other areas but we gave them the entire project, unfortunately, they have failed to maintain the road.
“The drainage is filled with sand and the situation is allow flood to overflow on the tarred road which has been causing damage on the road.
“Though, they are unable to come to me, rather, the matter has turned to an issue among them and I am not happy with the development. That is also making me to reconsider some things.
“Just after two years, the road been damaged with the drainages filled with sand and this is making the road to always gets flooded”, he added.
A section of the Ajose/Oke Oko/Ibesge Road which its construction was flag off on Saturday
Further expressing his displeasure, Benson, who said that he was happy that the road that was named after him has started collapsing, added that the benefitting community has forgotten all the troubles that went into the completion of the project.
“Unfortunately, they named the road after me. Now, they have forgotten all the efforts and struggles that we went through in facilitating the reconstruction of the road”, he said.
“We only supported them then because we saw their efforts in fixing the road by contributing money, but it seems that they no longer care with the way the road has turned out to be.
“It’s not just about fixing a road, but maintaining it is also important. Once it is fixed, you have to treat it like your new wife. After completion, the value of your houses would increase, so also the economic and social lives. It’s your infrastructure, hence, you have to maintain it very well,as you are using it”, Rep. Benson said.
The two-term lawmaker, who was recently re – elected by his party to stand a the third term, enjoined residents of the area to support and vote for all the APC candidates from the President to the House of Assembly members in the coming general elections.
Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, a Chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), in his remarks at the flag – off ceremony, said that activities of the lawmaker have vindicated his motion about a year ago when the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, came to Ikorodu to commission a road facilitated by Rep. Benson.
“I have been vindicated for moving that JB should go for another term based on his performance.”, the elder statesman said.
“This is another quality representation by our representative. The road, when completed, would improve economic and social lives in this area”.
He charged other public office holders to always reflect on their actions and see if they are doing what the people that gave them mandate sent them to do.
“Those in office should take time to stand before the mirror to reflect. They must know what their people want”, he said.
State of another section of the road
Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini, while stating that another road would be coming to Ibeshe before this year runs out without giving details, charged residents of the area to continue to pray for Rep. Benson and vote for all the APC candidates in the coming elections as two things that they must do to show appreciation to the representative.
Mr Aladin Badejo, Chairman, Steering Committee on Ajose/lbeshe road, speaking, said that the lawmaker truly care about his people.
He commended him for his quality and unprecedented representation, while also stating that he deserves re – election and higher office for his performance over the years.
The community also pledged to ensure that the road is properly maintained after its construction.
Many of the residents that spoke with THE IMPACT commended Rep. Benson for facilitating the construction of the road and assured him of their support and votes.
