SHOPRITE TAKES OVER IKORODU COUNCIL SECRETARIAT, AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELOCATES TO RENTED APARTMENT. | Shakiru Seidu.

Over a year after MegaXpression Magazine reported the proposed takeover of the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat, situated at opposite General Hospital, Ikorodu, to create space for the construction of Shoprite, we can now authoritatively report that the Council administration has indeed concluded plans to relocate to another apartment in Lagos Road, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

It's gathered that the Local Government led by Mr. Wasiu Ayodeji Adeshina recently secured and concluded renovation works on a structure along the popular Haruna Bus Stop, Ikorodu, to ensure the prompt commencement of the construction works of Shoprite.

This hurried relocation of the Council Secretariat was attributed to a quit notice served to the local government by the new owners of the property. The notice served to the local government and its tenant agencies from the State and federal governments instructed that the occupants must vacate the premises on or before Monday, June 11, 2018, MegaXpression Magazine learnt.

In a swift reaction, the local government officers issued a statement saying; “With the permission and directives of the Chairman, Ikorodu local government, Hon Wasiu Ayodeji Adeshina, (under the Lagos State Government’s Watch), we announce the official relocation and movement of the council secretariat from its present location (T.O.S Benson Road) to a temporary site (Lagos Road) from Monday, 11-06-2018. All Staff and concerned partners are informed of this development. All in the interest of Ikorodu.”

Meanwhile, MegaXpression learnt from a reliable source in Ikorodu Local Government that the new structure occupied by the Council has gulped a total sum of N120,000,000 (One Hundred and Twenty Million Naira), a development which has created mixed reactions among stakeholders in the community.

According to a source who craved anonymity, the Council administration should have invested a large chunk of the money expended on the new structure in commencing development works on the Ita-Elewa property of the local government to pave way for a decent structure.

“I am completely shocked at the amount of money the government is spending on a temporary office when the money can be sued to start work on the proposed permanent structure in Ita-Elewa. The decision is flawed and a complete waste of scarce resources,” the source revealed.

Another resident, berated the Council Administrators saying “only a team with lack of proper planning would invest a ridiculous amount of money to secure and renovate a temporary site.”

However, a top political administrator in Ikorodu told MegaXpression Magazine that the renovation was done on behalf of the local government by the State government through the Ibile Holdings Limited, a principal investment arm of Lagos State Government. “I can understand the anger from those concerned about the relocation and renovation of a new structure for the local government,” the source said.

The source continued saying: “We, however, have to understand that the council needs a befitting structure while it continues to develop the permanent site in Ita-Elewa which should be completed in due time.

“The amount spent was on behalf of the council by the State government through the Ibile Holdings and it would be paid back over time. I think it is best that way as a Council cant cough out that money to quickly secure a space in short time.”

Furthermore, residents of Ikorodu community have condemned the decision to relocate a government property for a private business, more importantly, located directly opposite the Ikorodu General Hospital.

A resident of the community noted that the decision to erect the giant shopping Mall opposite the hospital could eventually create avoidable traffic gridlock, particularly when emergency cases are involved. The source added that “the decision was reached to relocate the local government to satisfy the selfish needs of some set of people.”

SHAKIRU SEIDU
Publisher, MegaXpression Magazine.