Kunle Adelabu
-As workers intensify action on construction of over 80 offices structure
The Executive Chairman, Imota Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has reiterated that operations of the council will be moved into the permanent council edifice which he said would be one of its kind when completed.
The reservation by members of the Assembly Committee on Local Government which also commended the initiative of the council boss to give the council an iconic secretariat that the date fixed for the commencement of the council operation in the new structure, did not deter him
Our reporter had visited the ongoing construction of the permanent site for the secretariat, following the invitation of Hon. Agoro, when he was called to respond to the rumours that the staff of the council were chased out by the Lagos State Hospital Management Board, the owner of the property which the council has been occupying temporarily.
Incidentally, the members of the Lagos Assembly Committee on Local Government were also on oversight visit to the council and they were been hosted at the site.
According to the Council boss, the structure is sited on five plots out of the two acres of land that the council bought with still large expanse of lands at the front and back of the building.
The entire structure is made up of over 80 offices. On the ground floor are the offices of the Vice Chairman, which is first at the left side of the main entrance into the building. There are also the main reception and offices and changing rooms.
Also on the ground floor are the legislative section comprising of offices for Council Leader and five Councilors which are constructed with staff offices and toilet facilities like every other office in the building. There are also the office of the Clerk of the House, Legislative Chamber and Supervisors.
Other offices and facilities on the ground floor are offices for the Council Treasurer; Head of Departments (HoDs); Engineering Workshop; Sick Bay: Male and Female Wards and directly facing it is the office of the Medical Officer and Doctors; Council Canteen; Council Hall which will be facing the main gate; Registry, Office of the Registrar, ICT Centre and Toilet facilities.
Located on the upper floor of the building are the Chairman’s section – Chairman’s office, offices for the Chairman’s staff, Chairman’s boardroom, rest room, receptions/waiting rooms, offices for Personal Assistants and other aides and toilet facilities. Adjoining the Chairman’s section are offices for the Secretary to the Council, Council Manager, Special Advisers, Council main conference room, offices for HoDs and toilet facilities.
In the middle of the structure is a large space that the Chairman said would serve as the lobby with an open roof above. He also said that the design of the building is in such a way that its roof will not be seen from outside with water fallen on the roof been channeled to a particular point.
Hon. Agoro which took our reporter round the construction for over an hour, said that his administration is focused on achieving success.
“Now you can write what you have seen, but let me add that the concept of this place is made in Imota: the architect of this design is made in Imota; the structural engineer is made in Imota, the government that is building this editing is made in Imota 100%; located in Imota and populated by indigene of Imota.
“People never believed something good can come out of Israel. This is one of ours and this is Imota LCDA and people would never believe something like this can come out of Imota LCDA government; the government of Wasiu Kunle Agoro.
“People have been saying all sort, but we are focused, very focused. We want to achieve it and we have achieved it. We have achieved an unbelievable feat.
The Council boss also set January 2025 date for the commissioning of the edifice by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu.
“By the grace of God, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr BabaJide Sanwolu will commission this project in January, which first of its type.
“We will commission this and we are also moving in by the end of this month. You can see for yourself how far that we have gone on the project. I am reconfirming that we are moving in by the end of this month. The job will definitely continue.
“You should know that the Governor would not just come in to commission the project, but before that, protocol officers will be here to inspect and certify what we have on the ground and report back to him if we have something that is worth. That is the time that everybody will see what we are capable of in Imota”, he said.
“I want to believe that you have seen all for yourself”, Hon. Agoro added.
The Council boss also informed our reporter that a water fountain will be erected at the frontage of the main entrance into the building to add to its aesthetics.
Speaking on challenges faced in the construction which delayed the completion, Hon. Agoro mentioned that COVID – 19 played an adverse role and also theft of building materials when the project started and the structure was the only building in the isolated place.
He also attributed the inability to complete it before now to high cost of building materials:
“When we started this project, a ton of rod was N165, 000 but now, we are buying at N103million. You can imagine tons that we have to buy”, he said.
While stating that he is not building the edifice for himself, Agoro said that the secretariat when completed would add to important edifice in important and serve as one of the legacies of his administration.
“We will be completing this structure soon and as I have mentioned, the Governor will be here to commission the massive project that we started from the scratch with the former Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, laying the foundation in September 2019.
“The idea is to give this as one of our legacies to Imota, present generation and those yet unborn”, he said.
Standing on the secretariat provided a clear view of Imota township especially its new developing areas and also, that of the Rice Mill, Lagos State Model College, Igbogbo, Caleb University and others.
