Stakeholders Meeting: constituents lauds Makinde's efforts,demand more development projects.

By Dapo Thomas

The residents of Ifako-Ijaye constituency II have lauded the efforts of Hon Lanrewaju Rasheed Makinde for what they described as good representation at the Lagos State House of Assembly while asking him to do more.

This was the submission of the constituents on Friday during the simultaneous constituency stakeholders meeting held in 39 constituencies out of 40 in Lagos State,themed “True Representation and Accountability”

People of  Ifako-Ijaye praised Honourable Makinde for influencing developmental projects to the area particularly the recently commissioned Abule -Egba Flyover while they also raised some of their needs for prompt inclusion in the 2018 budget.

Mr Gboyega Salvador, former Special Adviser to Ex- Gov. Babatunde Fasola said over 41 roads in the area had been damaged when Abule-Egba Flyover Bridge was being constructed.

“Mainly, our challenge, because of the flyover that was done at Abule-Egba, is bad link roads. The first things the state should have
done is to repair all the inner roads.

“We have lost almost 41 inner roads in Ojokoro LCDA (Local Council Development Area) and this is affecting the economic activities of the constituency.

“Educationally, we are backward; the government needs to give us more.
We need to develop markets,” he said.

Salvador, who described Ambode as a performer, lauded the idea of the
Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting to feel the pulse of the people.

Also speaking, Oba Saka Taiwo, the Alagbado of Orile-Alagbado, who commended Ambode for infrastructural development, added most inner roads in the area needed repair.

“We want the government to do more to ensure provision of employment
opportunities for our children who have gone to school.

“We are not saying the government is not trying, we are only saying they should not rest on their oars but try harder for the development of the society.

According to him, the lawmaker representing the constituency had done so much for the youths and the community at large.

The Babaloja General of Ojokoro LCDA, Alhaji Akinloye Oladejo also called for a state of emergency on inner roads in Ojokoro, saying that bad roads had been affecting industries and markets in the area.

Oladejo, who noted that Ambode remained a listeners, urged Makinde to commune with the governor to repair all inner roads that went bad as a result of the construction of the flyover bridge, as he laud Makinde for performing beyond expectations.

Speaking with Newsmen, Mr Tony Nwokolo, the Proprietor/ Founder, Hope
Fountain School for the Deaf, Ojokoro commended Gov. Ambode and other
representatives for identifying with people living with disabilities.
Nwokolo, a deaf, said: “We are disabled part of the community. As you know in Nigeria, people look down on  the disable but with the coming of Ambode, things are improving.

“Our representatives in the council, state and federal are not identifying with disable. Any time they visit our school, we are always very happy for identifying with us.
“Special schools need more attention from Government, philanthropists for the provision of school clinics, bus , canteen, and many other
things.

“Being a disable is not the end of the world. Whether you are deaf or blind, there is hope. We want government to look into employing the disabled. We want the society to give inclusive treatment.
“If government wants to employ 100 people, it should consider the disable community, for example if 80 per cent goes to able body, 20 per cent can go to the disabled. That will give us a sense of belonging in the community.’’

Earlier in his speech, Makinde, the Chairman, House Committee on House Services said that event was to feel the pulse of the people as their representative and relate same to the executive arm.

The lawmaker said that the House, under the leadership of the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa to ensure that people have meaningful representation.

“We do this through good laws that guarantee infrastructural developments, creation of more jobs and qualitative education for the benefit of all.

“Also, we want to ensure affordable health care delivery system that ensures the well being of our people and establishment of a security system that promises safety of lives and property among others.

Makinde said that suggestions, demands and requests of previous stakeholders’ meeting were collated and forward to the executive arms, which had resulted in most infrastructural projects. He said that the objectives of the meeting were to strengthen participatory democracy, ensure true representation through accountability and seeks inputs from constituents on their welfare and need.

The lawmaker said that the House had done a lot to improve legislative competence and accomplishments by review old legislations and initiating new ones to meet current needs.

“We have passed various resolutions that have changed the lives of the people and the face of Lagos State. The House has continued to work tirelessly in attending to disputes bordering on matters of justice, violation of human rights and others,’’ he said.

From the mainland to the Island and hinterland, lawmakers were confronted with problems the constituents have been grappling with,which deserve policy statement that could afford them the needed respite.

In Ifako-Ijaiye constituency  2 stakeholders called for speedy repairs of most of the inner roads linking the Abule- Egba jubilee flyover bridge constructed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, as most of them are now in UK.