With just few days to the third anniversary of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode led administration in office; hence the palpable reason to review the administration’s score card with major stakeholders chiefly as the general elections draws near. In this interview with duo of the Publisher, Abel Lazarus and the Editor Nariwo Kayode, The Executive Chairman of Mosan Okunola Local Council Development Authority, Hon. Princes Olabisi Adebajo (aka ABISCO) bares her mind on the achievements and some of the challenges of Gov. Ambode administration in her LCDA and off course; that of her administration and measures being taken in meeting with the expectation of her constituents.
Excerpts:
TAM: Ma, the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will be marking her three years in office in a matter of days from today, how would you describe his performance so far?
ABISCO: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s performance is exceptionally above natural Nigerian standards from independence to date; he has demonstrated his knowledge of development through his administration’s grassroots projects that cut across all spheres ranging from massive infrastructural development, employment and all inclusive governance. He has taken life to every parts of Lagos State by his projects, in a nutshell, he has done very well and deserves another term.
TAM: Your LCDA is among the beneficiaries of his administrations projects; how have these projects benefited your LCDA?
ABISCO: First of all, I would like to thank him for all the projects he has embarked upon in not only Mosan-Okunola LCDA but in Alimosho as a whole and for his demonstrated love to Alimosho LGA, the latest commissioned 21 roads and two bridges is exceptional our inclusion in the ongoing 181 road projects and the Cleaner Lagos Initiative. His administration’s projects have brought life to the remotest areas of the state, for instance the construction of about 5.7km roads and linking of Mosan-Okuola with Agbado Okeodo LCDAs through the Aboru-Link bridge has not only reduced travelling time within these communities but has brought commerce along the routes, the 114 Road project which my LCDA benefited from; that is Remi Ogunjimi and 401 Road in Gowon Estate has opened up those places and its environ for more activities and most importantly it has improved the lives of its residents, the completion of the Ipaja-Ayobo Road also is a huge relieve to residents and users of this road. His projects in all have been of a tremendous beneficial to us.
TAM: Ma, you mentioned Cleaner Lagos Initiative, how would you say your LCDA has feared under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative of this administration, especially with the growing dump site in Gowon Estate which resurgences days after evacuation as people outside the Estate are seen driving down to drop off their wastes?
ABISCO: It’s not peculiar to Mosan-Okunola but the entire State and the case of Gowon Estate is further worsened by her population as an estate, however the Cleaner Lagos Initiative is relatively a new model of PPP (Public Private Partnership) and the usual teething problems of any new business will always emerge but the government is not relenting as the governor sent his Special Adviser on Cleaner Lagos Initiative Engr. Adebola Shabi who visited Mosan-Okunola LCDA to embark on sensitization of the populace having identified the LCDA as one of the most challenged in waste management owing to her high rate of residential. The exercise was the administration’s engagement toll to waste management among residents and we are hoping that this exercise will very soon yield the desired result.
TAM: Mosan-Okunola LCDA is amongst the most disadvantaged LCDAs with lesser sources of IGR; yet you have not relented in embarking on major projects, how do you think these projects will be completed?
ABISCO: By the grace of God we will complete every projects we have embarked on as an administration because each of the projects are people oriented and their completion will further position Mosan-Okunola LCDA increasing her IGR. The administration is taken painstaking measures to drive down the dividend of democracy to her residents despite the paucity of funds. My passion and that of my team for the development of Mosan-Okunola has been the propelled towards these projects which will in turn become source of generating IGR for the LCDA. For me I want to prove a point as a woman that my administration can chart the road map of development for the LCDA, we have embarked on several of such projects that include construction of shops, reconstruction of Health Centre at Akinogun, construction of three markets and the rehabilitation of the 5th Avenue road and many more. You will agree with me that all these projects are futuristic and developmental. On the other hand during my 100 days in office we commissioned a bridge constructed by this administration within the Cele community. The community was under threats from erosion and constant loss of life each time it rains, with the passion to serve
the people we constructed the bridge just to secure the residents as it is the most important of any government. Also the students of Mosan-Okunola LCDA have also been factored in our projects as have been able to refurbish some of the dilapidated school roofs and distributed 3000 school bags and 27,000 note books with each student getting a bag and ten notebooks during our 100 days in office while the elderly enjoyed a free medical checkup and treatment during same exercise. The youths have also benefited from our various empowerment programs.
TAM: Okunola Road has gradually slipped into a nightmare for motorist, what efforts is your administration making to ease the pain of its users?
ABISCO: We are aware of the challenge on Okuonla Road and we are appealing for patience and understanding as I assure that it will be fixed we are already making efforts towards that as we instructed the contractor constructing the 5th Avenue road to evacuate the rubbles from the site to fill Okunola Road which you can attest to, we are not relenting as we will make sure that the roads are fixed especially the link roads. Our challenge has remained the lack of enough resources.
TAM: The insecurity challenge in Nigeria today has gone over-board,how would you say your administration is handling her citizen security?
ABISCO: You will agree with me that security is not for the government alone but for every one and we have in place some security measures in place which I would not want to mention here since it involves security. We also have feedback mechanisms that help us in gathering information on possible security challenges. This information is usually discussed and reviewd during our monthly Peace and Security meeting. You will agree with me that Mosan-Okunola LCDA has remained peaceful and we are assuring to sustain it so as to protect the lives and properties of residents of Mosan-Okunola LCDA.
TAM: We agree with your submissions on Gov. Ambode’s performance so far; yet we are optimistic that there are areas you would want him to further improved upon within your LCDA?
ABISCO: The major area we would appeal to him to do more in Mosan-Okunola LCDA is the area of improving the road infrastructure of the LCDA. The topology of Mosan-Okunola LCDA is eroded with erosion
which has washed off most of the streets like Abeokuta Street, Adefela Marcus et and many others, and the greater challenge is our inability to fix them due to our low allocation; we are therefore appealing on His Excellency to further extend his gesture to some of these street for repairs through the public works or total reconstruction. I am facing a bigger challenge as my neighborhood while growing up fall under the categories of these bad roads and it will be a shameful thing for me if I fail to get it fixed.
TAM: Your administration will be mark one year in office in few weeks from today; how would you rate your performance so far?
ABISCO: In all honesty I would not like to be seen as blowing my own trumpet; however I would rate my administration very high so far. No one is perfect and no one can be loved by all hence I know some will dispute my assertions but God has given each and every one of us an independent judge which is our conscience which as at today has no doubt whatsoever on my performance in office.
TAM: What projects will you be using to mark your first year in office?
ABISCO: We have quite a number of projects to be used which include the 5th Avenue under rehabilitation, the renovation of Akinogun Health Centre amongst others and the exercise has been designed to have the Governor himself doing the commissioning with the Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District in attendance and other dignitaries and leaders in Alimosho. It’s going to be a big event that will have the governor’s campaign train move around the LCDA.
