Alausa Alert January 2014 | Page 19

EL 19 C FASHOLA'S WORKING VISIT TO OSHODI R esidents of Okomola and Mosafejo areas of Oshodi will not forget in a jiffy the recent visit of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and members of his team to the area for an on the spot assessment of situation and also sensitise the people on their responsibility for the development of the area. The Governor, who was accompanied by his Deputy, Princess Orelope – Adefulire, members of his cabinet and other top government officials, interacted freely to the admiration of the residents and visitors as it provided them a great opportunity to intimate him with problems being faced in the area and make suggestions on possible solutions. The Governor promised to regenerate the communities and make the residents live a better life. He announced the donation of two blocks of flats on condition that land is provided for the project and urged them to meet and create space for amenities as government is ready to provide for the densely populated community. “We are concerned about the condition of Mosafejo and how we can improve the quality of life and how we can make you happy. We are standing on a tarred road here. All of these things are possible here if we reorganize it, you have to choose it. If you want us to reorganize this place, there would be some discomfort,” he said. He promised a befitting layout that would accommodate the interest of all property owners, explaining that the layout would help to preserve the land, but that private developers would be free to erect building of their choice, once they get approval from the government. Fashola told the residents that government is desirous of providing infrastructure and amenities, including water and sewage facilities but that they would also have to sacrifice by making and land available for such projects. He remarked that though the residents may think they are living good lives, even within their waste, but that the condition of the area necessitates that something urgent be done to improve the area, hence the need to provide amenities that would make people live quality life. He urged them to be more security conscious and perform their civic responsibilities. Governor Fashola also read the riot act to the transport unions in the area to find appropriate parking space for their buses, stating that the road is for pedestrians, motorists and tricycles (Keke Marwa) to move freely and not to be converted into parking space. “This is my final appeal across Lagos to all Danfo drivers. Don't park on our roads. Rush hours, you are moving passengers, fine, but after rush hours, find a place to park off the highway because your rights to use the road make you also responsible to ensure that other people can use it if they want to use it”. Speaking earlier, some of the community leaders including the Babaloja of Olorunsogo ultra modern market, Mr Lukman Adeyemo admitted that some minors with criminal intent have indeed turned the area into their hideouts but said they have been flushed out by security agencies with the active collaboration of the residents. He gave a commitment that such security breach would not repeat itself in Mosafejo areas as property owners are now more security conscious. Another resident, Madam Esther Adekoya, pleaded with the State Government to come to the aid of the residents by giving the area a facelift, saying the people have been desirous o