It was heart-warming to read the above headline on page 33 of this widely circulated newspaper on January 20. The news was subsequently followed up with a repeat broadcast in the electronic media on the same day, capturing the outcome of a town hall meeting at the Ajelogo Housing Scheme in Akanimodo Mile 12, where the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, revealed his administration’s resolve to award of 181 roads for construction and rehabilitation this week.
The scheme which will be a further improvement on the previous year’s 114 roads is a very welcome development. There is no doubt that the governor is really on the right track towards the actualisation of the dream mega-city status for the state, only that this drive should be pursued conscientiously and equitably.
Although a lot of interests might have begun to influence the governor’s outlook right from the town hall meeting and beyond, I equally understand that the infrastructural upgrade is conceived to add vent to the forthcoming May 27th golden jubilee anniversary of the state.
In this wise, I encourage the amiable governor to remain focused and resolute and never to yield to extraneous forces. There are many localities in the state which do not have political voices to project their cause. After all, the golden jubilee is not meant for a particular section of the state but the entire spectra and therefore, infrastructural uplift should be carried out without boundaries.
In this wise, it is expected that communities such as Ijagemo (Iba LCDA) on the Ikotun–Ijegun axis should not be left in the lurch this time around as they have suffered enough unbearable neglect and despair. The environmental degradation in this area should be attended to compassionately within this window of consolidation of infrastructural renewal so as to alleviate the pains of the long-suffering inhabitants.
It is regrettable that this naturally expansive landscape has never witnessed government attention. The governor outlined that various LGAs would benefit from at least three roads in the first instance this year, with the presentation made by respective local governments and LCDAs. Ijagemo community must have been a child of circumstance, joined with Iba/Ojo LGA as a result of mere cultural affinity rather than political contiguity and expediency and the time to right the seeming wrong is now.
Tony Anaele
Ijagemo Lagos State.
and then