Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Stakeholders pledge to prevent arbitrary rent increase
Two years after promising the residents of Selewu community in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu Local Government of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, that the main road linking the community to the main road and other communities, will be reconstructed, Rep. Babajimi Benson has moved in contractor to fulfill that pledge.
The 2.5km road, which has been in a terrible state, was officially flag – off for reconstruction by the three – term representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in National Assembly, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Mayor Muhydeen Sanwoola, Executive Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Parks Management, who represented Rep. Benson, while thanking the traditional institution, political party and residents of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, announced that the 2.5km road will be constructed with drainage system and streetlights.
While decrying the attitudes of some residents who ask for compensation because their property will be affected in some areas duribg the construction of roads, charged the Selewu community on the need to prevent such situation in order not to halt the construction and move it elsewhere.
He explained that the lawmaker’s team always like to work in communities where the residents are in unity and showing desire for development.
Sanwoola said that the when completed, the road will positively affected the social and economic lives of the community.
“When the road is completed, the social and economic lives in the community are going to go up. The road will bring value and with that comes economic growth.
“So, it’s not just that we are building road, but also improving your economic and social status, and also aid in bringing further development, because people will bring investment in”, he said.
He also pleaded with the community to ensure that their youths are put in check and do not disturb the contractor, warning that if that happens, it may lead to stoppage of work and evacuation of machineries from site.
“Please, help us by holding meeting with the youths in the community and talk to them to cooperate with us. We don’t want them to disturb the contractor”, he said.
Builder Sesan Daini, Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, in his remarks, said that the representative of the Ikorodu federal constituency, is embarking on the road construction because he understands its value.
“We are here for the ground breaking ceremony for Selewu road. This is a very important road. It was first constructed by the Lagos State Government but today, Hon. Babajimi Benson, after due consultations and feedbacks from our people, has deemed it fit that this road must be attended to.
“He knows that this is a road that leads to many communities and one that will solve a lot of problems. He is equally aware of the electoral value of Selewu community and also of the voting pattern and attitudes of Selewu in Ward C2, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Ikorodu Division and Lagos State”, he said.
Odofin Tajudeen Onasanya, the Odofin of Igbogbo who represented the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, commended the three – term lawmaker for his impacts not just on his party and community, but also to the traditional council.
He charged residents on the need to cooperate with the contractor in ensuring quick completion of the road.
Speaking earlier, Comrade Oyewosakin S., Chairman, Selewu Estate Central Working Committee (SECWOC), tracing the genesis of Rep. Benson’s promise to reconstruct the road, was also full of commendations to the lawmaker for fulfilling his promise to Selewu community.
“It is with great joy that I welcome you all to this occasion of official flag off of Selewu road, Igbogbo, by the most dedicated, committed, dutiful and merciful Honourable, Honourable Babajimi Adegoke Benson, member, House of Representatives, representing Ikorodu Constituency at the Green Chamber.
“Honourable Babajimi Adegoke Benson promised construction of Selewu road, precisely on the 28th of August, 2022, when he came to commission electric transformer he facilitated to The Exclusives CDA Teachers Quarter. He said that he was impressed by the reception he received from the people of Selewu.
“We thank God today that the promised made two years ago, finally came to reality. It shows that Honourable Babajimi Adegoke Benson is a promise keeper.
“We sincerely appreciate Honourable Babajimi Okikiola Adegoke Benson for his effort, dedication, commitment and resilience to make Selewu road a thing of reality”, he said.
The community leader, on behalf of the residents, pledged the support of Selewu to the representative whenever he needs them, and also assured him of full cooperation with the contractor and protection of the road when completed.
“We assure that the entire Selewu Community will continue to support the political vision and mission of Honourable Babajimi Benson whenever he needs our support.
“We assure you as well that we shall always protect this road during and after completion. We assure you of protection of lives and properties of all the staff and equipment of the contractor.
“Finally, we appreciate Honourable Babajimi Benson for putting an end to our tears in Selewu Community and environs. We appreciate all the stakeholders involved in making the reconstruction of this road come to reality. We pray that good things will never depart from your homes”, he said.
Meanwhile, elders and other stakeholders in Selewu community, have assured tenants within the community that their interests would be protected by preventing arbitrary increase in house and shop rents, after the road is reconstructed.
Some of the stakeholders gave the assurance, while also commending the lawmaker over the road.
Baale Selewu, Chief Olusola Adeleke Olugbode, who stated that he was one of the happiest person because of the flag – off of the reconstruction of road, said that he would work with the stakeholders in ensuring that landlords and shop owners do not take advantage of the road after its completion against their tenants.
“Today that this road is being flagged of is one of my happiest days. My appreciation goes to Hon. Babajimi Benson for what he has done with the facilitation of the reconstruction of this road for us in Selewu.
“He actually came here on October 28, 2022, to commission our transformer and he promised that he would do the road and today, he has shown that he is a promise keeping representative.
“I am very grateful for this, because this will bring more growth and development to our community.
“I will work as usual with the elders and other stakeholders in the community, to talk to the landlords and shop owners against arbitrary increase of rents, because we have to make life easy for everyone”, he said.
Elder Mudashiru Akande Olowu, former Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA who is also a resident of Selewu, speaking with our reporter, said:
“In fact, our able governor raised the issue yesterday when he warned that people should stop taking opportunity of good roads to increase their house and shop rents.
“The road is for the benefit of everybody and house owners should always consider the condition of the average residents and stop inflicting hardship on the people. This is not good.
“We are going to talk to our people in Selewu, and the issue will be properly addressed”, he said.
The Assistant Secretary, IDEA, and an elder in Selewu community, Mr Babatunde Afuwape, while also thanking the representative, added that the community has an effective structure to address the fears being raised by some residents and prevent arbitrary increment in rents.
“I must say that I am one of the happiest persons on earth today, because I have been part of the stakeholders that have been clamouring for the reconstruction of Selewu road, and we thank God that our dream has come to reality.
“I want to thank Hon. Babajimi Benson for keeping to his promise. In 2022, he did promise that he was going to do the road for us and he has fulfilled that. We want to thank him and every other stakeholder that has contributed to the development
“Selewu has a formidable association and we want to thank property owners and residents, and we believe that they are going to continue to cooperate with us. On the issue of arbitrary increase in house and shop rents after the road is tarred, the elders in the community are going to address the issue with the landlords.
“We know ourselves and we can talk to one another.
“The country is a bit hard and we should not be seen to be compounding the situation for our co-residents. So, we are going to talk to ourselves against arbitrary increase in rent, in order to make life easy for everyone”, Mr Afuwape said.
Meanwhile, while the Ori – Okuta road in Imota LCDA, Lucky Fibre road in Ikorodu North LCDA are nearing completion, construction work are also ongoing at Olu- Odo and Igbogbo/Offin/Oreta Road in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, courtesy of the performing lawmaker, Rep. Babajimi Benson.
