Kunle Adelabu
-Calls on Gov. Sanwo – Olu to address neglect
The President emeritus, Igbogbo Youth Coalition (IYC), Mr Gbenga George Odunniyi, has lamented what he perceived as ill-treatments of the people of Igbogbo and the Kingdom by the Lagos State Government.
Odunniyi expressed serious concerns and disappointment over the state of the construction works on Igbogbo/Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, Igbogbo in Ikorodu Division, seven years after several houses, many of which were ancestral homes and landmark sites, were demolished.
The former IYC President also cited the Igbogbo Stadium redevelopment which has been abandoned for months, and the slow pace of work on the deplorable Igbogbo/Bayeku Road with attendant challenges among others as reasons the government is unfair to the residents of the ancient town.
He spoke with THE IMPACT after the commissioning of the Oba Sekumade Road by Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat last Friday.
“It is with deep regret and concerns that I am speaking with you over the state of the Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed Tinubu road construction, which has dragged on for over seven years after the demolition of houses in the area”, he lamented.
“The neglect of this major road has caused immense hardship, agony and distress to the people living in Igbogbo and several of its communities. The people of Igbogbo have lost their ancestral homes and properties and community heritages through demolition, to pave way for development, but nothing to show for it seven years after. This is unacceptable and must be urgently addressed”.
Odunniyi, who is also a chieftain of Concerned Ikorodu Division Youths (CIDY), said that the ruling party and its government have failed the people of Igbogbo despite the massive and continuous support that they have enjoyed over the years from them.
Aside the abandoned Igbogbo/Bola Tinubu Road, Odunniyi also alleged the poor quality of construction on Igbogbo/Bayeku Road and slow pace of work by the Public Works Corporation, a situation he said is also a cause of serious concerns for the residents.
“It is unfortunate that despite the massive support enjoyed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the State, the people of Igbogbo have been left to suffer the consequences of the neglect by the government in this area”, he said.
“It is rude and disrespectful that the government has failed to live up to its responsibilities in Igbogbo. The people of Igbogbo deserve better, and it is high time that the government takes immediate and meaningful action to address this issue”, Odunniyi charged.
“Furthermore, the neglect of the Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed Tinubu road is not the only issue affecting the community, the slow pace of construction works and lack of quality work on the Bayeku road project, which was awarded last year, is also a cause for concern. The Igbogbo Stadium has also been abandoned without any cogent reason, further exacerbating the neglect of the community”.
He called on the Governor Sanwo – Olu to urgently intervene and address these concerns.
“We cannot continue to watch as our community suffers in shambles, while political leaders remain absent and unconcerned. It is high time that we speak up and demand action from those in authority. We must call on the governor to urgently address the neglect of the Igbogbo-Bola Ahmed Tinubu road, the Bayeku road, and the abandonment of the Igbogbo Stadium”, he charged.
“I implore the government to act swiftly to save the souls of the people of Igbogbo. It is time to put an end to this neglect and work towards restoring the community to its former glory of ‘Land of cool beauty’.
“The people of Igbogbo deserve better, and we will not rest until justice is served”, he said.
