Kunle Adelabu
-Councils turning youths into menace on roads – Resident
-We are going back to find a lasting solution – Hon. Sulaimon
Residents of Ikorodu have called out the Chairman of the Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, Hon. Kazeem Olanrewaju Sulaimon (SKO), FCA, on the state of the Apena Jimbo Road in Ipakodo, which his administration rehabilitated at the inception of his administration about two years ago, but which has now collapsed.
Residents also expressed disappointments at the councils expending millions of taxpayers’ money on projects which, according to them, are unable to stand the test of time.
THE IMPACT had called the attention of the Council boss to the state of the road a few months ago, and he responded that he had already asked the contractor to move back to site and ensure that the road is properly fixed.
Mr Lekan Durojaiye, a public commentator and political operative, while bringing up the issue today, on THE IMPACT WhatsApp platform, condemned the shoddy job done by the contractor and called for more competent hands to be engaged for its rehabilitation.
“Ikorodu West did Apena Jimbo Road in Ebute, but it is sad that less than 2 years after the construction, the road is already filled with pot holes again. We need more people with the real fear of God, to manage our communities (councils)”, Durojaiye lamented.
Speaking further after the concerned chairman who like others, is a participant on the platform, said that the council is working towards correcting the anomalies, Durojaiye warned that:
“Guess a more qualified contractor should be employed this time around. Heavy duty trucks are being tolled and they pay. There’s a ‘ready-made guy’ around that roundabout that links Ebute down to Igbogbo and Ibeshe, that’s always in charge”.
“The trucks must be considered too which simply means, the road they are being tolled for, must be accessible by all.
Hon Sulaimon, who responded quickly to the chats, assured that his administration is looking for a lasting solution to the road, one of which is to prevent heavy duty trucks from plying it, and a good drainage system.
“Good morning, we will soon go back to the road and find a lasting solution. We are working at the back to find the reasons why we did the road and got spoiled quickly. One of the reasons is that the road was not meant for heavy duty trailers. Secondly, the drainage must be worked upon to link both sides, etc, but we will do it to be durable”, he assured.
Unlike some council bosses that usually reacted whenever they are called to perform their duties, Hon. Sulaimon accepted responsibilities.
“Thanks, I accepted in totality. It’s a learning process, and I am growing on the job and the duties that l am elected to do”, he said.
“But immediately we did the road, we put a barricade on both entrances of the road, but by the next morning, they got them destroyed”.
Hameed Ganiu, a youth leader in Ikorodu who just relocated to England on study, also contributing, said that the council should have considered the trucks and the need to improve on the drainage system, while constructing the road.
“These are the things that should have been put into consideration in the first place. Looking at the location of that area, you cannot avoid heavy duty trucks, considering the nature and peculiarities of that environment.
“Well, we are counting on you ooooo! And we want the best of you on the job”, he added.
But it wasn’t about calling on the council boss to be alive to his duties alone, some of the residents also praised his responsiveness and constant engagement, unlike his colleagues.
Mr Hassan Ekundayo, a lecturer and public analyst, contributing, said:
“This is how to lead! Prompt response to issues…Greater heights sir”, he said.
“I congratulate you, sir! It is very difficult for any leader in Nigeria to take responsibility… Even, ordinary councilor will argue with you”.
The Coordinator, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), lkorodu West LCDA, Barr. Asoro Abubakri, described the chairman as a responsible administrator with an open – door policy.
“His open-door policy, sense of responsibility, and responsiveness are second to none, and that’s why he’s inspiring most of us”.
“Much love @Hon Sulaimon”.
Elder Olu Omoniyi, an APC chieftain in Ikorodu North LCDA and a public analyst, also commended the uncommon traits of Hon. Sulaimon, while also blaming the system for not making council system more responsive.
“Diligence, Responsiveness, Proactiveness, Humility etc remain the CORE VALUES of his administration. Quite unfortunate, the system doesn’t not make the administration of LG as the closest alm of the government more responsive and responsible to the yearnings of people. The earlier this institutional barrier is removed, the better for our DEMOCRACY”.
Meanwhile, Lekan Durojaiye has also said that the engagement of youths in Ikorodu, as revenue collectors on roads, is impacting negatively on them.
He called for better ways of engaging youths in Ikorodu, instead of turning them to menace.
“Also, making reference to Barr S. O. K. Shilings’ letter to the Governor, our Chairmen MUST, as a matter of urgency, reduce the number of youths collecting tolls on the road, on their behalf. These guys are basically turning themselves to a kind of menace all around.
“Youths that actually learned some beautiful arts/crafts are all on the streets working for ‘councils’…. The major beneficiaries are ‘holed’ in offices around ‘living large’, while these guys are just lazing away on ‘we must be involved’ basis.
“Let’s work on @Sen. Abiru n @Rep. JB’s style of giving these guys a better future. The ‘big boys’ amongst them have started recruiting their sisters into this act… May God Almighty take control and heal our land (Amen)!”, he said.
