Bimbo Babatunde
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has inaugurated a 1.6km link road initiated by the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency, Mr Benson Babajimi.
The speaker said he is impressed by what Benson has done for his constituency. He added that looking at the road how it was and after construction, it was not just tarred but well tarred with streetlights and urged the community to ensure proper maintenance of the infrastructure.
Babajimi said the construction of the road was a development expected to ease vehicular movement of commuters from Ijebu Ode inwards Ikorodu town, adding that the road was constructed to lessen the sufferings of the people.
He said that Nigeria is currently experiencing an infrastructural deficit and the current government is making effort in ensuring that they bridge the gap.
He praised the Lagos State government for its infrastructural development and construction of many major roads such as the Igbogbo, Ijede, Owutu road and the Rice Mill, which would be the largest in Africa when completed in Ikorodu.
Babajimi said that the road was strategic and would be handed over to the Community Development Association (CDA) to ensure maintenance to serve them for a longer period.
He said: “It will require about $30billion to fix the infrastructural deficit in Nigeria, if you break it down, it means we still have a long way to go in terms of infrastructure.
“The governor is trying interns of road construction in Ikorodu, especially the major roads like Igbogbo road, Ijede road, Owutu and the Rice Mill at Imota.
“We have the strength to assist him in doing the internal roads, while he is doing the macro, I will be doing the micro in my own little way with the assistant of the speaker to bridge the gap.
“We are trying to make things easy for those who elected us, our party, the governor and our president, our job is to put smiles in the faces of our people.
“We met with the CDA and explained that this is their property, they should not allow drainage water to destroy the road due to overflow of water.
“They should take ownership and ensure that the road is well maintained.”
The chairman of the All Progressive Congress in the state, Mr Cornelius Ojelabi, also thanked the lawmaker for embarking on such construction to alleviate the sufferings of not only the Ikorodu residents but also other Nigerians who may traverse the area for business.
Ojelabi urged residents to ensure proper maintenance of the road and appeal to party members to ensure they revalidate their membership cards in preparation for the next election to choose formidable candidates.
The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal Highness, Oba Kabiru Shotobi also commended the lawmaker on the kind gesture and encouraged him to continue his good work and practical representation of Ikorodu at the lower chambers of the National Assembly.
Former Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe said road construction was an important area of governance that needed to be prioritised adding that it would make business ND economic activities thrive.
Also at the event was Mr Wale Raji, lawmaker representing Epe constituency, Monarch in Ikorodu division and all the five local government chairmen.