Kunle Adelabu
The Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and the Igbe community have parleyed and agreed on ways to ensure the maintenance of the Igbe road which some sections are now collapsing as a result of neglect.
At the meeting, which THE IMPACT gathered was at the instance of the Council Chairman, Builder Sesan Daini, both parties, we gathered, also agreed that the displeasure of Rep. Babajimi Benson over the state of the road, at the flag –off of the 2.2kolometre Ajose/Oke – Oko/Ibeshe Road about two weeks ago, was borne out of concern for the protection of the road.
The meeting, which included chairmen of the nine Community Development Associations (CDAs), in Igbe community, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA Chairman, his Vice, and other elected and appointed council officials, was held at the De Sleek Hotel & Bar, along the Rep. Babajimi Benson Road (former Igbe Road) on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.
THE IMPACT gathered that the community prior to the Wednesday meeting with the council, met on Monday to resolve some issues among themselves and have a common front.
According to Elder James Alabi, the Council Chairman has agreed to take up the responsibilities of maintaining the road.
“The Chairman, IBLCDA, agreed to take up the responsibility of ensuring the maintenance of the common assets on Igbe road; including the drainage and the lighting”, he said.
“It was agreed that the council will take the first step, and subsequently, the nine CDAs will take control, and report back to the LCDA.
It was also gathered that community chieftains also agreed to mobilise members of the community every third Thursday of the month to clear the drainage on both sides of the road while the council will be responsible for the evacuation of the waste removed from the drainages.
“On the third Thursday of every month, the CDAs will come out en masse, to clear the drainage. On the immediate Saturday following the clearing exercise, the LCDA will send down their trucks to remove whatever is brought out from the drainages”, he added.
“On the video credited to Hon. Jimi Benson, it was said that it was borne out of concern for the maintenance of the asset, and nothing more. We agreed that all he wanted was for the community to brace up, and protect what was given to them”, he said.
Prince Adesegun Oyefusi, also speaking with THE IMPACT, confirmed the stakeholders’ resolutions at the meeting, and added that it was also agreed that the community, in conjunction with the council, will discuss the proper disposal of waste with LAWMA agents.
He also stated that the Council agreed to deploy the Joint Task Force (JTF) to enforce compliance with the Environmental Laws in the community.
Mr Dauda Oshinlaja, the Supervisory Councilor for Environment, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, responding to a follow – up story on the Igbe road on Monday, titled, ‘Igbe Community, Igbogbo/Bayeku Council Authority Charged Over Igbe Road’, assured our reporter that efforts are being made to ensure that the road gets necessary maintenance.
“Efforts are very much ongoing to get the sands evacuated from the drains”, he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, on the parley with the Igbe community, said that the Council is ready to work towards the preservation and maintenance of the new road by evacuating dirt and sand from the drainages on it’s both sides and cart them away.
He also said that the Council will interact with the Managing Director of LAWMA on the need to focus more on the road.
