The Alimosho Score Card of Governor Ambode’s led administration will be lacking without words from a member of the recently pronounced “fourth tier government” by the governor; the Community Development Committee {CDC}. The CDC Chairman of Mosan Okunola LCDA Dr. Akinfolarin Baruwa in this interview with the publisher of The Alimosho Mail Newspapers and his Editor Messers Abel Lazarus and Kayode Nariwo respectively bares his assessment in this holds no bare interview on the achievements, challenges and critical areas of interest for the administration.
Excerpt:
TAM: Recently His Excellency pronounced the CDCs as the fourth tier of government, how has this pronouncement been able to affect your duties at the CDC/CDA levels?
DAB: Well, we appreciate his pronouncement which simply demonstrates his passion towards community development; which basically is the best way of tackling real development. Though we are yet to fully function as a government which will first of all need the legislation of the House of Assembly, budget allocation and off course operational office; however it is a wakeup call that requires further action to bring it to bare.
TAM: As a major stakeholder in your LCDA, how would say your LCDA has benefited from this administration and what has the impact been?
DAB: We have been able to benefit from lots of projects of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode both individually and collectively as LCDA, the opening up of the Aboru link road/bridge has obviously change the derivatives of the area prior to this administration, the reduction in time of travelling within the community is a huge relief, the EKO free health is another project individuals are benefiting till date ranging from free eye glasses and free medicals the government has also done brilliantly well in terms of security by its huge investment in security through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund empowering the Lagos Police command with modern technological equipment. To the community, he has demonstrated inclusiveness to all the communities of Lagos State and by so doing can be referred to as Mr. Community. This has also made all the ministries in his government to come closer to the grassroots.
TAM: Governor Ambode is not perfect hence we would like to know those areas where the community feels he has not been able to carry you along or achieved much in his three years in office. More so this is to serve as feedback tool for him to refocus on such areas.
DAB: Recently the government in its wisdom introduced a new waste management system via Vision Scape Limited that is meant to create the waste to wealth solution for Lagosians but unfortunately we are yet to get it right following some of the hitches currently experienced, this needs urgent attention for improvement in earnest. On the other other hand I wish to appeal to Lagosians to understand the need for the review of the Land Use Charge currently introduced by the state government which is aimed at generating more fund and for more developments across the states.
TAM: You made mentioned on security achievements of the state government but how have been able to monitor the large number of migration into Mosan-Okunola LCDA in the recent time?
DAB: The Nigerian constitution provides for any of her citizen to live anywhere he/she chooses hence it is impossible to stop in flock of migrants into Mosan-Okunola LCDA. Also the peculiar nature of Mosan-Okunola LCDA with three large estates; Shagari, Jakande and Gowon Estates amongst others is a huge challenge on itself as this estates attracts such migration. That said and done we are in partnership with various leadership of all resident like that of Arewa and Igbo leaderships in a bid to jointly manage the situation with partnership with the Police. More so, Mosan-Okunola LCDA has created Mosan-Okunola Security Trust Fund which by the special grace am the chairman, we hope to achieve a lot through this fund as we are partnering with security agencies to make sure that lives and properties are safe in Mosan-Okunola LCDA.
TAM: We are optimistic that there must be a pressing project that your LCDA would wish HE to complete as soon as possible, what would you say is the project?
DAB: Exactly, and we have forwarded our request to the Governor and he has promised to complete the Abesan Stadium but when you look at the state of some of our communities due to erosion challenges go to Mosan, Abeokuta Street, Ifedapo LCDA and many more are the most pressing project we would like HE to attend to as a listening governor that he is. We must also appreciate him for the laudable project he is doing at the formerly Pius Ikedia Stadium now Abesan Youth Centre which will serve multi purposes towards the development of our youths.
TAM: How would you describe your relationship as the “forth tier government” with the LCDA which is the third tier, is there any form of rivalry as in the case between the state and the local government?
DAB: There is no such thing as rivalry between the CDC and the LCDA as we have remained partners in progress despite some of the challenges in meeting with some of our needs; we are optimistic that that will be achieved someday mind you the LCDAs have their own challenges but through regular consultations we have been able to carry each other along. We help in driving their policies to the communities while on their part they have been supportive in their capacity, recently the LCDA participated and supported us financially during our health walk program which was a major achievement of the CDC. We only hope that it will get even better by her provision of some of the pending requests such as office space, the monthly provision for the CDC/CDA meetings and the community box these are some of the things that will make our operations lot easier and the Chairman has promised and we are praying for the fulfillment.
TAM: The general elections is around the corner and it will be out of place to end this session without asking on your readiness towards the election, have you been able to mobilize your constituents to collect their PVCs?
DAB: Yes, the awareness is ongoing and electorates are now more aware of the enormous powers their PVCs bestow on them. We have also created a platform for interaction with the INEC officials in Mosan-Okunola LCDA to clear any grey areas amongst the voters. Our major concern is to make sure that no resident is disenfranchised either due to lack of voters card or non-registration. We are optimistic that with the awareness so far every resident will vote candidates of his choice at all levels but we are very certain that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will coast to victory at the end of the general elections.
TAM: What would be your advise to the residents of Mosan-Okunola LCDA?
DAB: I urge them to be law abiding by supporting the initiatives of the government, pay their taxes and be security conscious by saying something when they see something and also do something as security is everyone’s business. God bless Mosan-OKunola LCDA, God bless Lagos State and God bless Nigeria… itesi waju ipinle Eko lo je wa logun!
TAM: As a community Newspaper there should be a synergy between the CDCs/CDAs and us; How do you think this can be achieved in reporting most of your activities within the communities?
DAB: It is important for us to build such partnership as information is key especially at this technologically driven era and more so for the genuine love demonstrated by HE towards community reportage. We are open to such partnerships.
Note: TAM stands for The Alimosho Mail while DAB stands for Dr. Akinfolarin Baruwa
