SHOLAJA-SAKA CONVENES STAKEHOLDERS' MEETING ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN FACILITATING SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES. | Shakiru Seidu ...Says requests and complaints will be duly forwarded to the Governor.

It was a day of reckoning at Admos Hall in Imota on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, when House of Assembly Member, Hon. Nurudeen Sholaja-Saka, representing Ikorodu Constitution 2, held the constituency stakeholders meeting to feedback and discuss the environmental challenges, based on community engagement in order to facilitate lasting solutions.

The Stakeholders meeting which was simultaneously held in 40 respective constituencies of the State, had various dignitaries in attendance, such as His Royal Majesties, Oba Mudashir Ajibade Agoro, Ranodu of Imota, Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba AbdulAkeem Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Obateru of Egbinland, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe and Regent of Ijede, High Chief Aliu Musediku.

Others are Lagos East APC Vice Chairman, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, former Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, APC Chieftain, Chief Adenrele Olowu, former Acting Commissioner and member of seventh Assembly, Hon Adebimpe Akinsola, Chairmen of Imota, Ijede and Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDAs, Prince Wasiu Agoro, Comr Fatiu Salisu and Comr Olusesan Daini. Former Sole Administrators, religious leaders, traditional Chiefs, Eminent Persons of Ikorodu Division, CDAs, Market Women, Artisans, groups and Associations.

In his eloquent keynote address, Hon Nurudeen Sholaja-Saka said “though the annual stakeholders meeting aims at promoting legislators through constituents interaction and engagement and also engaging constituents in the heart of governance to ensure their input counts in the affairs of the state.

"We have dedicated the 2019 constituency stakeholders’ meeting to engage you on the current environmental challenges facing the state because the most populous state in Nigeria is Lagos with an estimate of 22 million people. The government has re-organized the Lagos State waste management authority (LAWMA) to be proactive toward enforcing, regulating and ensuring improved waste management process.

"The Lagos State House of Assembly is however appealing to residents to comply with the environmental laws of the state in order to embrace attitudinal changes and join hands with the government in a renewed commitment to preserve the environment”. He concluded.

Suggestions were entertained, such as curbing the continued indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the streets, drainage and major highways in the state, enlightening constituents on the need to properly dispose their waste and creating awareness on the hazardous impact of environmental challenges in the state were brought up by the communities to bring an end to lingering threat of environmental challenges in Ikorodu constituency 2. 

Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, in his declamation emphasized on the issue of bad roads in Ikorodu constituency 2. He however mentioned specific places such as Igbogbo, Imota, Igbe, Ijede, Ibeshe and so on with really bad roads. “In Ikorodu constituency 2, we have been abandoned for almost 12 years and our lack of good roads reduces proper security, and what we are doing in Ikorodu is ‘Suffering and Smiling’, he said.

"I've sent an information to the Council Chairmen to pick 4 bad roads each, observe them properly and put them into writing and submit it to me. So whatever information received will be passed unto the Governor," he added.

HRM Oba Abdulsemiu  Orimadegun Kasali, said in his eloquent remarks applauded the quality representation of Hon Saka-Solaja, saying he has really make Constituency 2 proud. "We complained a lot on bad roads and the response we got was that because it is during rainy season. So for now nothing can be done but since we’ve made the requests known, then we are expecting results,” he said.

In the same vein, Obateru of Egbin and Ranodu of Imota also pleaded with the State government to coke tonthrir aids on the issue of bad roads in Ikorodu Constituency 2. They urged government to look into the budget for constituency carefully in providing more social amenities for the area.

In his remarks, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe commented that “Lagos is a very good State. It Is where we have more cars and buy more fuels than other States of the federation. Most of the cars in Nigeria are located in Lagos, so I’m suggesting any fuel bought in Lagos, 10 kobo should be added to it and the money will be collected from the Petrol Stations and used for the roads. Public toilets should also be made available and should be at easy reach to anyone who wants to use it.”

Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, in her remarks applauded Hon Nurudeen Saka-Solaja, extended greetings to everyone present and also to Hon Babajimi Benson,MHR, and Hon SOB Agunbiade for making Ikorodu Division proud. “Our Governor is not a governor that will abandon projects, but a man of continuity. So, I implore our leaders not to leave any stone unturned. On the issue of tax, we should ensure tax are properly paid and besides, the NURTW make a lot of money but don’t pay enough money for tax, however, solution should be founded,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Council Chairmen, Comr Fatiu Salisu, Chairman of ijede LCDA said they have submitted the list of some bad roads to Asipa Kaoli as requested and urged for immediate pursuant. He lamented that the local government allocation is not sufficient for them, and further implored all to make use of PSP and stop disposing waste on the road side.

Hon. Saka-Solaja later responded to all questions and requests, saying  the State government will definitely give adequate attention to all. While the Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Comrade Olusesan Daini gave the vote of thanks and concluded with the closing prayer.

SHAKIRU SEIDU
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief,
MegaXpression Community Magazine.