By Henry Umahi
For residents of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, these are happy times. The people are excited over the transformation activities of the council’s administration.
Before the intervention of the council led by Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello, aka OBE, many of the roads in the area were dilapidated, flood-prone and movements hampered by traffic bottlenecks. But he has spruced up the environment.
The excitement of the people over completed rehabilitation of roads in the area is profound. One of the soul-lifting projects is the Fadu/Ifoshi Road connecting Idimu Road from Iyana Ejigbo. An important artery, it passes through the Oba’s palace, police station, banks, markets and schools.
Apart from making driving a pleasurable experience, the environment is looking attractive, a breath of fresh air. For pursuing the vision to make Ejigbo LCDA a diverse and sustainable community of choice for people to live and work with his transformative agenda, Hon. Bello is acknowledged as a beloved leader in whom many are well pleased.
Assessing Bello’s performance, Mr Danjuma C. Onuaguluchi, remarked that the council chairman has demonstrated real leadership over the years. According to him, he is result-driven, compassionate and progressive-minded.
Danjuma said: “He is a gentle man and astute administrator, who believes in the development of Ejigbo LCDA. I don’t think that since Ejigbo LCDA was created by President Bola Tinubu when he was the governor of Lagos State there has been a chairman like Obe.
“His projects are commendable and that’s verifiable dividends of democracy. The just completed Ifoshi Road is a good one.”
One of the residents, Mr Maxwell Sebastine, said: “Hurray! Hurray!! Hurray!!! The people shout, joy has come. It is simply a beautiful sight to behold. Ifoshi Road is wearing a new look and it’s all thanks to the indefatigable and resilient executive chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Chief Monsuru Obe.
“The chairman has restored light to the soul and heart of Ejigbo and I urge him not to rest on his oars as reward for good work is more work. However, Ailegun Road requires urgent attention. Mr Evidence, remain lifted.”
Another resident, Mrs Caroline Bassey, said the transformation was a welcome development and evidence that the government had not abandoned them. She narrated that the road used to be in terrible condition, especially during rainy season.
She said: “Before Obe performed his magic, coming to that part of Ejigbo was a problem because of the bad road and heavy flooding, making movement difficult. At a point, my husband could not come to pick me from my business premises when I close in the night because of the terrible condition of the road.
“My husband was always taking his car to the mechanic’s workshop because of the road but things have changed. We used to joke that it seemed like good roads were taboo in Ejigbo but we are happy today that the council has changed the narrative.”
A trader, who simply gave his name as Azeez, said he and colleagues were overwhelmed by the fantastic job did on the road. He said it would improve commercial activities in the area as many people could easily access the area.
“When they started digging the gutter, we thought it was another election gimmick to hoodwink people but it turned to be a real project. This calls for celebration but there is more for the council chairman to do. Some inner streets and Ailegun Road need immediate attention,” Azeez said.
A real estate consultant, Mr Innocent Ighodalo, said: “We commend Obe for the Ifoshi Road project. Ejigbo has never had it so good. We are blessed to have him as chairman because he is a man of the people.
“I think his cutting edge as a leader is that he does needs assessment. By so doing, he knows exactly what the needs of the people are.
“The benefits of the Ifoshi Road are many. They include enhanced socio-economic activities, connectivity, increased property value, increased trade and investment opportunities in the area.”
The road and infrastructure projects executed by the Bello administration include rehabilitation of Alhaji Nurudeen Obe Road, rehabilitation of Kolawole Sebili Road, reconstruction of Onaiwamimo Road, rehabilitation of Dauda Illo Street, construction of network of roads along Kashimawo Alimi, Oyinbo Dudu Prince Babatunde Adefioye and part of Rainbow Avenue, among others.
The projects involves, in some instances, dewatering, distilling, flexible pavements, scarification and full asphalt surfacing.
Apart from infrastructure, OBE’s intervention covers such areas as empowerment, procurement/working tools, environment, health, education, agriculture and social development.
A stakeholder, who preferred to remain anonymous, said Obe’s engagement is in keeping with the mission “to deliver quality public service in a timely and competent manner with an emphasis on capacity, public safety and a healthy living.”
