The people of Oshodi-Isolo Counstituency II, Lagos State, have called on the government to come to their aid by fixing the deplorable roads in the area.
They made the appeal at the 3rd annual Counstituency Stakeholders’ Meeting organised by the 8th Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday in Lagos.
The meeting which had the theme, “True Representation and Accountability’’, was held simultaneously in all the constituencies in the state.
According to them, the pathetic state of the roads had been affecting commercial activities in the area.
Mr Kingsley Akpah, said that roads in Ilasa, Ajao Estate, Ejigbo, Oke-Afa, Okota and Isolo, needed urgent attention as their states were getting worse by the day.
“There is the need for road dualisation or expansion in Isolo to reduce gridlock on Isolo/Ejigbo road.
“At Canal Estate, the roads are so bad because there are no drainages.
“We are also appealing that work should start on the roads that have been approved for construction and rehabilitation in the next batch of the 118 roads,’’ he said.
In his opinion, Pastor Sunday Aderoju, urged the government to intervene in the area of acquiring pre-paid meters, saying that the process had been difficult.
He also lamented the lack of power supply in the area.
Also, Dr Israel Jesuniyi, urged the government to construct a public primary school in Okota area.
“We have been sending this complaint for a while now that we do not have any public primary school in Okota area. Our children travel very far to access primary school education,’’ he said.
The Iya-Oloja of Okota Market, Mrs Kadijat Kazeem, urged the government to do more by creating employment for youths in the constituency as the number of unemployed was on the increase.
Responding, Mr Jude Idimogu, Representative of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II at the Lagos House of Assembly, urged the people to be patient as government was committed to meeting their needs.
“On the deplorable roads in the constituency, normally, roads are not constructed or rehabilitated during rainy reason, which is why the next batch of the 118 roads construction in Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas has yet to commence.
“But I am assuring you that soon, government will commence work on the roads approved for construction and rehabilitation in the constituency.
“The issue of electricity is on the Exclusive List under the Federal Government; the state government cannot handle such matter.
“This is why the clamour for dissolution of power is important to allow states to handle some of these challenges we are facing.
“But I want to inform you that Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is working on what we call ‘Embedded Electricity’ by the year 2022 to provide regular power supply in the state.
“Situating a public primary school in Okota area will require that the community development committee provide land so that we can commence the process of construction.
“I am assuring you that government is doing all it can to make life comfortable for all as governance is a continuous process,’’ he said.
Idimogu said that the meeting was to ensure meaningful representation through good laws and policies.
He added that the laws guaranteed infrastructure development, creation of jobs, qualitative education, affordable healthcare delivery and security to ensure the well-being of the people.
According to him, the massive support of the people has continued to improve the legislative competence and accomplishments of the Assembly to meet the current needs of the people.
“’We have initiated legislations that are effectively addressing challenges such as kidnapping, ritual killings, land grabbing, armed robbery and other crime related issues.
“We have passed resolutions that have changed the lives of the people and the face of Lagos.
“More needs to be done and your valuable contributions, information and suggestions from this meeting will help us to formulate policies for the benefit of the people.
“Therefore, I urge you all to feel free to express your opinion as we are ready to receive memoranda from you so that we can better represent your interest,’’ he said.
Ealier, Mr Shamsudeen Olaleye, Chairman, Isolo Local Council Development Area, urged the people to utilise the meeting to channel their thoughts, complaints and suggestions to the government.
According to him, it is a form of feedback to help the government to scale up its obligations to the people