The Chairman of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Honourable Rasaq Olusola Ajala, has described his administration as not only action-driven but also result-oriented aimed at improving the welfare of the residents of the council and improve their standard of living.
Speaking on his achievements in the office at the council secretariat, Ajala stated that he and his team have been working tirelessly to ensure that dividends of democracy are brought nearer to the people thereby making them feel the positive impact of governance at the grassroots level.
“Thus, it is important that we enlighten our people about the policies, ideals, achievements and also future plans of the administration so that they will constantly be in the know and also be acquainted with ways in which they can take advantage of the various opportunities available to them as citizens of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA,” he said.
He stated further that, “we need to demonstrate through tangible solutions that Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA is standing up for the good people of the community and is connected to their needs.
We also need to place more value on education, security, and safety in order to support those who are disadvantaged in one way or the other. We also need to communicate the added value of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye community and I believe we have done so on many fronts.
Making an impact in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye community remains paramount and essential to this administration and we have exhibited our desired style in the position of all-inclusive governance. The involvement of citizens enables the government to gain greater acceptance while tackling new issues which is one of the many reasons why this administration opted for the political philosophy tagline that says: “common pool for common benefit”.
We believe this conveys what we are trying to do for our people because it represents our primary aim and we continually spare no efforts in demonstrating it with not just words but visible actions”.
Ajala stated that his administration has carved an image of good governance for itself anchored on commitment, efficiency, and inclusiveness.
Below is the full speech of Hon Rasaq Olusola Ajala delivered at the press conference
PROTOCOL:
Good Afternoon Ladies and gentlemen of the press and our partners in progress and thank you for honoring our invitation. The media as we all know is a source of information on the work of the government as well as on the political, cultural and other relevant events within our community. Your efforts in appreciating and criticizing the good work of our LCDA thereby portraying Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye in good light is not only praiseworthy but highly appreciated. Thank you very much.
This press conference has been put together in order to create awareness and further pass the information to the public at large about our involvement and efforts in catering to the needs of our immediate community and to encourage feedback on how we can do more in ensuring that we place our community on the desired level. It is important that we enlighten our people about the policies, ideals, achievements and also future plans of the administration so that they will constantly be in the know and also be acquainted with ways in which they can take advantage of the various opportunities available to them as citizens of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA.
For the fact that we are at the grassroot level, we have had to employ tactics in dealing with matters that concern our people because the biggest challenge that governments and institutions face today is showing that we care and to mobilize solutions that respond to people’s fears and anxieties with concrete answers.
First we need to demonstrate through tangible solutions that Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA is standing up for the good people of the community and is connected to their needs.
We also need to place more value on education, security, and safety in order to support those who are disadvantaged in one way or the other. We also need to communicate the added value of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye community and I believe we have done so on many fronts.
Making an impact in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye community remains paramount and essential to this administration and we have exhibited our desired style in the position of all-inclusive governance. The involvement of citizens enables the government to gain greater acceptance while tackling new issues which is one of the many reasons why this administration opted for the political philosophy tagline that says: “common pool for common benefit”. We believe this conveys what we are trying to do for our people because it represents our primary aim and we continually spare no efforts in demonstrating it with not just words but visible actions. The performance of the past administrations in our prestigious LCDA has made continuity a yearning for its people and thus, the assumption of office of my administration has undoubtedly proved that we are well equipped for the job ahead of us.
I, Hon Rasaq Olusola Ajala and my team, believe in being action-oriented and result-driven. The efforts we constantly put into action serve as a reminder that people must be carried along through proper dissemination of information on activities and programmes of government and that is one of the targets we seek to achieve with this medium.
Over time, there has been a debate as to why there is a low or inadequate performance at the local government level in Nigeria. Some of the reasons range from low funding to the nation-wide recession amongst many others. This administration also believes that low funding is a major challenge the LCDA is facing because the funds being disbursed from the federal government is not adequate to execute all the needs of our people. I want to stress that in spite of the challenges, we must leave no stone unturned in serving our people.
Looking at the journey since we assumed office, we have carved an image for ourselves that represents good governance, commitment, efficiency, and inclusiveness. We have worked concertedly to cover a milestone in several sectors such as the educational sector, infrastructural sector, agricultural sector, health sector and also in the areas of civic engagement, staff welfare and social intervention programs. Gentlemen of the Press, I will now take you through our achievements which have been made possible through collective efforts from various quarters:
WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
• Construction of 4-rooms office for the use of staff tagged (LAGOS @ 50 BLOCK)
• Completion of drainage projects : Ago-Owu Street
Alhaji Otta Street
Anuoluwapo Street
Opeloyeru Street
Cole Street
Smith Street
• Re-Construction of roads: Araba Street
Oziegbe Street
Cole Street
Ogidan Street
Olorunsogo Street
Iya Egbe Street
Alhaji Lasisi Street
Ogunji Street
Ibukunolu Street
Ibiteye Street
• Rehabilitation of roads: Abiodun Street
Kumuyi Street
Fafolu Street
Macaulay Street
Michael Adekoya Street
• Palliative Roads Obalodu Street
Ogundele Street
Bello Cresent
• Renovation and furnishing of the Legislative buildingin the council secretariat
• Renovation of HOD’s offices
• Renovation and furnishing of offices for the use of the S.L.G and Supervisors.
• Reconstruction/Rehabilitation of Boreholes (135 Nos.) and provision of generators to power for effective use by the people.
• Complete renovation of the council marriage registry hall.
• Complete renovation of LASSRA building.
• Renovation and furnishing of customary court.
• Complete renovation and re-making of the council Hall.
• Complete renovation of the council premises.
• Procurement of 3 buses for the police formation in the LCDA
• Refurbishment of pick up van for Ilupeju police station
• Procurement of 2 trucks for evacuation of refuse and carting away of desilted drain waste.
• Renovation and re-making of the chairman and vice chairman’s office
• Construction and furnishing of police post for theuse of mopol unit at Alhaji Lasisi street, Idi-Oro.
HEALTH SECTOR
• Ongoing reconstruction of coker primary health care, ilupeju
• The community was duly sensitized on Lassa Fever, Monkey pox virus, polio and measles
• Medical mission in collaboration with Rotary Club Ilupeju, NYSC, pharmaceutical council of Nigeria, Fidson pharmaceutical and Synlab on free blood pressure test, free treatment on hypertension and Eye screening, consultation and free treatment.
• Maternal and child health week: Immunization, family planning, ante-natal, delivery, post-natal, hand washing, HIV counseling and screening, mosquito net distribution, de-worming of children under five (5) years, supplements distribution to pregnant women, malaria diagnosis and treatment, nutrition counseling at four primary health care centres (PHC’s) namely: Ayantuga, Coker, Anikulapo and Kajola.
AGRIC AND SOCIAL SERVICE
Organisation of programmes targeted at community development and civic engagement. The programmes include;
• Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Traders Money (Trade Assistance programme: TAP)
• Sales of chickens at subsidised rate during the christmas period
• Eid-el-Kabir celebration and sales of Ileya rams at subsidized rates
• Participation at annual celebration of Community day.
• Introduction of carol and thanksgiving service to celebrate the yuletide season
• Pre-Ramadan lecture to foster religious harmony.
• Periodic meeting with stakeholders
• YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
• Table Tennis Championship
• Boxing Tournament
• Novelty match
• Skill acquisition programs
WASTE AND SANITATION
• Initiation of a programme tagged operation ‘Keep Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA Clean A Must (KOOCAM)
• Procurement of two trucks for refuse collection and disposal
• Employment of over 100 sanitation corps
• Procurement of sanitation equipments for fumigating and cleaning.
• Regular drainage clearing and silt removal.
• Evacuation of refuse from illegal dungs and black spots around the LCDA thereby reducing flood and ensuring free flow of waste water.
• Regular Inspection of residential, industrial and commercial premises to ensure clean environment, community participation in sanitation and hygiene. This inspection led to reduction of breeding spaces and places for vectors andn rodents.
• Public enlightenment on environment education and sanitation
• Tree Planting Exercise
EDUCATIONAL SECTOR
• Transportation of one thousand five hundred (1500) primary school students in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA to their common entrance venues.
• Construction of 6 blocks of classrooms at Ajenifuja primary school and Nusara-U-Deen primary school
• Renovation of Structural defects of classrooms (replacement of roofs, provision of fence, construction of drains etc…) in all the twenty seven (27) public primary schools in the LCDA.
• Annual financial support of sporting activities in all the twenty seven (27) public primary schools within the LCDA.
• Procurement of two free school buses for students within the community
• Provision of one thousand (1000) copies of upper basic mathematics workbook with past questions and answers to J.S.S 3 students within the LCDA.
• Home economics equipment (Refrigerators, Freezer, four burner cooking gas, and manual gas cooker) presented to the home economics centre at Adeleye Primary School.
• Free G.C.E forms distributed to indigent students within the LCDA
• Sponsorship and assistance towards the celebration of World Teachers Day.
• Sponsorship of the annual spelling bee competition
STAFF WELFARE
• Periodic financial assistance to staff
• Payment of bonus during festive period
• Medical assistance to staff that have health challenges
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
• Building of official website for the council.
• Construction and placement of complaint boxes at strategic locations within the LCDA.
• Procurement of gadgets and equipment for information dissemination within the LCDA.
From this narrative, it is evident that this administration is leaving no stone unturned in delivering on our electoral promises. It is worthy to note that governance should not be only by saying but by doing what will be of utmost benefit to the people. As we look at the various challenges we face daily, there is no doubt that the desired solution requires collective efforts.
The truth is that many of us are not convinced of the power and purpose of cooperation thus we need to understand why, and ultimately act on that understanding.
It is my sincere desire that this administration in its pursuit of serving and improving the overall conditions of its people strategically positions Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area as an ideal frontline grassroots community.
Therefore, I would like to use this medium to appeal to every member of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye community to please pay their rates and levies because it is only with your unflinching support and encouragement that we will be able to continue the good works.
We will continue to encourage collaboration from stakeholders and private sector participants in moving Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA forward.
To the gentlemen of the Press, I encourage you to serve us with critiques that will spur us to do better for the greater good of not just our community but the society at large.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Long Live Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA
Long Live Lagos State
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Hon Rasaq Olusola Ajala
Executive Chairman
Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA
Opeloyeru Street
Cole Street
Smith Street
• Re-Construction of roads:
Araba Street
Oziegbe Street
Cole Street
Ogidan Street
Olorunsogo Street
Iya Egbe Street
Alhaji Lasisi Street
Ogunji Street
Ibukunolu Street
Ibiteye Street
• Rehabilitation of roads: Abiodun Street
Kumuyi Street
