In an exclusive Interview with the Executive Chairman, Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area,  a former Secretary of the Council Area (SLG), a retired Civil Servant who rose to the management level as Clerk of the Legislative Council at the same council before retirement, a former Branch Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the old Alimosho Local Government Area and a two term NULGE President, Lagos State, Senior Comrade Lasisi Ayinde AKINSANYA shares his Administration’s Success story with Citizen Magazine.
Below is the excerpt:

Q: Please Sir, Can you share your Administration’s Success Story with us?

A: Thank you, when I assumed office as the Executive Chairman of Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, this office did not even look like a corporate entity, the first thing my administration did was to rehabilitate the office complex within the lLocal Government Secretariat to make it look more corporate. What we met here was a thick bush behind the secretariat complex where miscreants assembled to plan and launch their evil acts on innocent citizens. We cleared the overgrown grasses and gave the environment a facelift, made it more spacious where members of staff can carry out their daily administrative tasks to enhance seamless service delivery,  productivity and efficiency.

The premises were designed with layouts in a way that it can  accommodate people that come to the Local Council Area to park their vehicles. I could recall that visitors park indiscriminately within the council but now it is more organised; this is because anyone who comes in will be attended to by our officials to park. The environment is secured and safer for everyone.

We realised that there were too many containerized stalls scattered all over the secretariat complex and this is not too good for a corperate environment: therefore, we carried out a delimitation exercise to restore orderliness and aesthetic.

After this, we moved to the Health sector. If you could recall that the Ikotun Primary Health Centre (PHC) was razed down by the #End SARS Protesters and it was overgrown with grasses. When I assumed office, I made a promise to the People of Igando-Ikotun LCDA that my administration would reconstruct and equip the health facility. I fulfilled my pledge and reconstructed the Primary Health Centre. we also purchased Medical equipments running into millions of Naira. To ensure the safety of the Health workers and Medical equipment, we  engaged the service of Private Guards.

Immediately we concluded the renovation exercise, some miscreants made an attempt to cart away the medical equipment but due to the vigilance of the medical staff and residents, we were able to foil the plan through deployment of more security personnel.

To promote unhindered access to affordable and qualitative primary education, my administration embarked on renovation of primary schools in the Igando-Ikotun LCDA. I observed that Olukotun Primary School was not in a good condition when I visited. It was no more conducive to acquire knowledge and learn. Most times, when it rains, the environment is flooded. So, we stepped in and rebuilt the school, constructed a standard drainage that will reduce the flooding in the school and its surroundings. The school is now safe for the Pupils and Teachers.

After that, we proceeded to Isheri-Osun community. There is a particular school there owned by an individual; the school is running  as a charity to provide education for indigent Pupils. The Proprietor has pleaded for support from the Local Government Authorities before we came into office; because the parcel of land belongs to someone.The owner of the school ensured that parents who could not afford basic education for their children are enrolled free of charge. What amazed me most is that those that have graduated from the school have become successful citizens; some are Medical Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants even under the condition of the centre of learning. I was informed that the owner of the parcel of land threatened them to vacate his property  because he wanted to use it, so I visited the site and assured the Charity Team that my administration would buy the parcel of land for them and within our 100days in office, we purchased  the land for them.

On infrastructural Development, We reconstructed dilapidated Tunk C road Networks and provided standard drainage Systems. In particular, there was a road at Ijegun Community on Ali Momodu street,  People who knows this road understands how terrible it was. I could remember that during one of my Political Campaign tours, the bumper of my car was completely damaged and detached while driving on the road. After I was sworn in, the road reconstruction project was awarded to a contractor. The route will serve as a relieve from traffic hold-ups emanating from LASU/Igando expressway so that commuters can link different routes. We also awarded Lusuekunrin road to link Egan and Akesan roads and then to LASU expressway.

One of my administration’s policy programmes is to promote economic development (Ease of doing Business, Local Trade, Small and Medium Scale Businesses) and as a Market Master General of Alimosho Local Government Area for several years, it my desire to make Igando-Ikotun LCDA an economically viable council area. We are currently building new modern markets beside the council secreteriat with a well designed layout.

In the past, the market environment is always flooded when it rains. We realized that several lLives and Properties have been lost as a result of this. So we decided to take it up to savage the situation. We constructed bigger Drainage systems to accommodate water flowing into and around the markets. My administration was able to achieve this through a robust engagement with the Traders and Stakeholders. Although, there were resistance from them but we reached a consensus. So we relocated the Traders and business owners to a temporary site while construction work was ongoing.They were resettled after completion. I am happy that we have not recorded any casualty since then.

Q: Tell Us about the Citizen Empowerment,  Social Intervention and Skill Acquisitions Programmes your administration has executed in the last 365 days.

A: On Empowerment, we have supported and empowered the Widows, Youths, Aged men and women and Artisans with Skill acquisition and training, Work Tools, Startup capital, Grants and consumables. It is going to be a continuous exercise and we have done it over four times now. I am sure that Igando-Ikotun People are happy for what we have done for them; their commendations are encouraging.

Q: Sir, Tell Us the specific skill acquisition and trainings your administration has done

A: We have empowered the Youths in different fields such as Tailoring and Fashion Designing, Hairdressing, Vulcanizing, Cateering, Soap making among others.

Q: Sir, What is your take on Local Government Autonomy?

A: Everyone knows that the autonomy of the  Council Areas will make Local Government Areas more efficient, service oriented and ensure a more secured grassroots.
The Local Government Area is the bed rock of any Nation because it is the arm of government closer to the people. That is the more reason the local government autonomy is very important and long overdue. I want to salute the people pioneering the local government autonomy and it is my prayer that the Almighty make the advocacy come to reality. In other nations, we will see that the Local Government Areas are given more economic financial and political powers it Independence.The Local Government Areas  deserve to be autonomous, that is when we will be able to advance more in governance.

Q: Special Status for Lagos, what is your stand?

A: Yes, the call for special Status for Lagos is  necessary. You will agree with me that Lagos State is a Mini Nigeria and Mini Africa. Lagos is the economic capital of Nigeria. It has the largest concentration of Industries and generate large revenue for the federal government. The social and economic infrastructure are stretched due to the large population. Hardly will you not see any other tribe in Lagos State, almost every Nigerian has a family in Lagos. Indeed, Lagos State  deserves a Special Status and I pray that it comes to pass.

Q: Sir, during Independent Research by Citizen Magazine, Most of the residents we spoke to applauded your achievements, what is your message for the locals?

A: Firstly, let me thank the people that have made it possible for this administration to achieve much. I want to appreciate the Vice Chairman,, the Leader of the House and all other Legislative members. Also, my Political Team members, Council management and staff members. We were able to achieve much more because we working as a Team.

On our record of Landmark achievements, this is just a tip of the iceberg. I promise that before the end of this administration, we would have done more. I want the People of Igando/Ikotun LCDA to remember this administration for the qualitative service delivery and governance we have offered to them, Particularly in the areas  of Infrastructure, Education, Health Care,  Citizen Empowerment and Social Intervention.
I urge the residents to pay their Levies and Rates promptly to enable us deliver more dividends of democracy.

Q: Sir, Do You Have Additional Comments?

A: I urge the people of Igando/Ikotun LCDA to come out in large number during the forthcoming 2023 general elections to vote for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. This is because he has performed wonderfully well. We want to continue to enjoy the good work he is doing. I also call on all elegible voters in Lagos to support and vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he is the Best Presidential Candidate that can make Nigeria greater and renew the hope of every Nigerian. Asiwaju Tinubu’s Leadership prowess and landmark achievements as a Governor of Lagos made him the most preferred next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the one God has sent to make what people thought is impossible become possible. he has the magic wand to make Nigeria the best among comity of Nations. You know if you put the candidates side by side, look at their anticedents they cannot match Asiwaju Tinubu’s  outstanding records.

Some Of The Landmark Achievements Of Comrade Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya In 365 Days include:

• Construction Of  Irepodun Market With  Drainage Systems

• Reconstruction Of  Celestial Road In Igando Community

• Renovation Of Block Of Classrooms At Olukotun Nursery And Primary School In Ikotun Community

• Reconstruction Of Ikotun Primary Health Care Centre

• Construction Of 0.6m×0.6m Reinforced Concrete Drainage System With Pavement In Ikotun

• Purchase Of Modern Medical Equipment At Ikotun Primary Health Care Centre

• Purchase Of Two Plots Of Land For Community Primary School At Boltex Odesanya Street , Ayanwale , sheri- Osun Community

• Construction Of Road Network With Interlocking Bricks And Reinforced Concrete  At Ali Momodu Street, Ijegun Community

• Construction Of Road Network With Reinforced Concrete Drainage Systems And Culverts At Adeshina Obanaike Street, Igando Community

• Distribution Of General Certificate Examinations (GCE)  Forms To One Hundred (100) Secondary School Students

• Palliative Road Maintenance Work Along Old Akesan Road In Community  And Igando Road

• Grading Of Trunk C Road Networks across the Igando-Ikotun LCDA

Grading and Maintenance of Roads Within The Council Secretariat

• Refurbishing Of Office Of The Ikotun Primary Health Care Centre Medical Officer

• Excavation Of Drainage Network Along Old Akesan Road, Egan Community  And Ijagemo, Ijegun

• Provision Of Furniture For Political Appointees

• Maintenance Of Road Networks Along Onifade Street ( Igando), James Street, Lawal Street, Lasisi Ige and Kajola Streets (Ikotun).

Source: Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area Public Affairs Unit

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