Kunle Adelabu
-Ask for design of the road, cost of the project
The Igbogbo Students’ Union has reiterated its stance to mobilise and protest over the Igbogbo – Bola Tinubu – Igbe Laara Road, which has been under construction for about eight years.
The student body had, about two weeks ago, called out traditional ruler, political leaders and major stakeholders in Igbogbo, and urged them to ensure that work resume on the road which was abandoned for about a year before the resumption of work by HiTech Construction Company, the contractor handling the project.
In another statement on Saturday, signed by Comrade Abdulsalam Adebayo Tijani, President, Igbogbo Students’ Union on behalf of other executives, parliament and general members of the ISU, the students issued a new set of demands that, according to them, must be fulfilled by the Lagos State Government and HiTech Construction.
Comrade Abdusalam described as unacceptable the news report by THE IMPACT newspaper where the HiTech site engineer revealed that the N10billion that was released to the company about six months ago, will only cover the construction of a section of the road and didn’t include the abandoned Afa bridge that has completely cut – off Igbe Laara from Igbogbo.
He said that the government must release additional funds to the contractor to ensure the total completion of the road.
“The Executive, Parliament, and members of the Igbogbo Students’ Union, stand firm on our decision to proceed with the upcoming protest concerning the long-abandoned Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, particularly the Afa Bridge in Igbogbo.
“In our press release dated September 23rd, 2024, we expressed our frustration and agitation over the incomplete state of the road, which is essential for the benefit of all residents of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, while we have recently observed some positive developments, such as the return of the Hi-Tech to site.
“Construction Company to the site, it is clear that the work being undertaken is insufficient to fully resolve the ongoing issues”, the statement said.
Reacting to the news published by THE IMPACT,, Comrade Abdulsallam said that the non – inclusion of Afa bridge in the phase of work to be done by HiTech, undermines the needs of the affected communities.
He also said that the piecemeal release of funds for the project by the government, which has made the project dragged for many years, will no longer be tolerated.
“On Friday, September 11th, 2024, The Impact News broadcast an interview with representatives from the Hi-Tech Construction Company. In this interview, the company revealed that the Lagos State Government had released a sum of 10 billion Naira for the project. However, this amount, according to Hi-Tech, is only sufficient to cover one side of the road, excluding the completion of the critical Afa Bridge.
“This revelation is both alarming and unacceptable. As the representative body for the students of Igbogbo, we reject the notion that this project should remain incomplete. The failure to include the Afa Bridge in the current budget is a significant oversight that not only undermines the needs of our community, but also disregards the safety and welfare of its residents.
“We are, therefore, calling on the Lagos State Government to take immediate action. We demand that the government allocates additional funds to Hi-Tech Construction Company, to ensure the completion of the entire project, including the Afa Bridge. The piecemeal approach to this critical infrastructure is inadequate and will not be tolerated by the students or the broader Igbogbo community”, the ISU President warned.
Consequently, the ISU demanded of the Lagos State Government and the HiTech management, to make available pictorial design of the project for the members of the pubic, especially residents of the community, as well as the amount spent so far and total sum required to complete the project.
“In the light of this situation, the Igbogbo Students’ Union is making the following demands:
“Transparency on the Pictorial Structure of the Road: We request that both the Lagos State Government and Hi-Tech Construction Company, release detailed pictorial representations of the full structure and design of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, including the Afa Bridge. The community deserves to know the full scope of the project.
“Full Disclosure of Project Costs and Payments: We demand clarity on the total cost required to complete the road and the Afa Bridge. How much has the Lagos State Government already paid to Hi-Tech Construction Company, and how much remains to be paid for the full completion of the project? The people of Igbogbo deserves transparency on how public funds are being used’, the ISU President demanded.
However, the student body also acknowledge the efforts of major stakeholders, including the Adeboruwa – in – Council, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), Hon. Jimi Benson and Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun among others who have been ensuring that the road is completed in good time and supportive of the ISU course.
“We would like to extend our appreciation to the key stakeholders who have reached out to us in support of our cause. Your involvement has been invaluable, and we trust that you will continue to advocate for the completion of this crucial infrastructure project.
“We recognize the efforts of the following individuals and organizations: Adeboruwa-in-Council, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun, Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA), Hon. Jimi Benson, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, Igbogbo Youth Coalition and The Impact News.
“Your support reinforces our belief that this road, which affects the daily lives of students and all residents alike, must be prioritized”, he said.
He assured residents that the student body will continue to monitor the development, while daily updates on the protest is suspended to allow HiTech deliver.
“Please, be informed that our daily updates and protests regarding this road project will be temporarily put on hold for the next two months. This pause is in response to the timeline given by Hi-Tech Construction Company for the completion of one side of the road.
“During this period, we will continue to monitor the progress closely and will resume our daily updates as necessary to keep the community informed.
While affirming the commitment of the student body to the welfare of the students, Abdulsallam also stated that the general development of Igbogbo community is also paramount to the body.
“As the representative of the Igbogbo Students’ Union, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the students and the broader community. Our primary objective is to advocate for the needs of the students and to ensure that the infrastructure and resources required for their success are in place.
“We remain dedicated to protecting the welfare of our students and will continue to push for the completion of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way in its entirety.
“Thank you for your support, and be rest assured that we will not relent until this matter is fully resolved”, he said.
