Exclusive
Series 1
The interview with Alh. Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello (Obe) that day was billed to take 20 minutes at most. It was the first leg of interview to spotlight efforts aimed at upgrading the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area with critically needed infrastructure in the last three years and plans for the next one year, but it soon turned out to be more.
Obe is the Council Chief of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, a densely populated Community excised from the strategic Oshodi Local Government, Lagos Mainland, as part of efforts by the past administration of Lagos State under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to hasten development at the grassroots.
His Media aide, Mr. ‘Kunle Oladele had, in a terse, yet mild tone, informed insightnaijatv crew that ‘Chairman (referring to Monsuru) just came in from an inspection tour of the Community.
“The tour” he added, provided the Council Chief with firsthand information following the aftermath of rainfall and how the drains in the visited areas were faring to check flooding that normally accompanies heavy downpours”.
He must have forgotten his cue because he spoke passionately about the need for attitudinal change on residents’ part to check flooded drains. A position reiterated by his boss.
“The drains, drains and drains”, the chairman said with hands raised and a testy smile. “They are a major challenge here and we will not relent untill they are sorted out.
He went on: “But as you know, most of these drains were built decades ago, Of course, at the time they were built, they successfully checked floods and the likes, but at that time and as of now, they were not constructed for people to clog it with debris and all manner of filth, he added, urging understanding on residents’ part on the need to adopt proper waste management attitude.
The dream of residents, to bid bad roads, in the Council goodbye, will soon be realised, he announced, stating that the Council is addressing the problems.
Obe made specific references to revamping Kashimawo Alimi Street down to Adefioye Junction through Oyinbo dudu junction down to Rainbow Avenue to connect Jakande Estate.
But the drains, he started categorically, is a major piourity for our administration. All the roads we have constructed or rehabilitated so far are strategic and our drains are critical to the lifespan of the roads. To this end, he appealed for continued understanding and support from all. The only snags at the moment, he started, are the Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the Country and the rain but we are not stopping work.
He said the Council braved the rains in order to complete the link road at Kashimawo and am happy to inform you that the roads network will be delivered before the end of the month, Obe said.
The Chairman reiterated his plea that residents must dump refuse responsibly.
“Now people are calling on the State Government to come and support us, but the State Government did not fill the drains with filth. People must check themselves in order for things to work out fine,” he added.
He, however, agreed that the State Government has, on several occasions, pledged it’s readiness to assists the Council in the development of critical infrastructure like roads.
At this point, a growl was visible on Monsuru’s face. Perhaps, he cast his mind on the event that happened recently when a resident of Ejigbo was caught and arrested for indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the major road. He brought bags of refuses with his car from his home and drop it off the road but he ran out of luck as Council official apprehend him.
This was a week after the Legislative Arm of the Council proposed the Environmental Sanitation Bill.
Mr. Adebayo Olaribigbe was seen on 10 of May by some staffs of the Council, offloading garbage from his car to the Roundabout which leads to Canoe Road. The Council Environmental Officers were quickly alerted and the culprit was immediately apprehended. He was made to sign an undertaken, never to repeat such act after he had register with a PSP Operators. He also packed all the refuse on that spot.
OBE opined that discipline needs to be instilled, and that’s why asking the man to only pay fine would not be as effective as making him pack all the refuse at the site, into his car, and take them to his house.
On what makes this case special, the Chairman said, ‘It has been a regular occurrence, God gave us the grace to apprehend him. They have turned that spot into a refuse point and whenever it rains, these refuse would go into the drainage and block the passage of water. And before you know it, the whole of the Environment is flooded again’.
Over flooding of the roads, due to blocked drainage, has been one of the main challenges which the OBE-led administration has been battling since assumption of duty in July 2017 and the Council boss is winning the war.
On the issue of Infrastructure, Obe said “The Council decided to pay special attention to infrastructural development to improve the quality of our environment and the living standard in our area, our projects are sustainable and important to the needs of our people”.
Describing proper planning and implication of projects as Paramount to successful completion, Monsuru expressed confidence that his team of Executive, legislative and Management are well exprencened and capable to deliver.
The Council boss said, his administration has constructed and rehabilitates over 13 roads which includes the rehabilitation of Moshalashi road, Agbonmagbin road, Jakande Estate road, kolawole Sebili road, Alh. Nurudeen Obe street, Ifoshi road, Rafiu Tijani…
To be continue …
Alhaji monsuru oloyede Belo (Obe) is a role model to successive chairmen across the state given his score cards so far
Obe is working, The Actualizer himself, Monsuru ni jooo, Obe ni jaare.
Energetic chairman,le kan si
Good Thinking, Good Product
Hon Monsuru Oloyede Obe has Shown that Governance is all about Service to the People.
He has Placed His Foot On the Sands of Time. He Truly Deserves Another Term.
OBE Lekan Si
The chairman has done greatly well in developing Ejigbo,may God strengthen you more sir.Next level InshaAllah
Keep up the good work my hon. chairman sir… The sky is the starting point 🙏🙏🙏
Obe is working
OBE, a visionary, resilient and passionate man. Continue with the good work sir, as you are giving back to your community, the Lord bless your sir.
Undoubtedly a pace setter and a man of his word. Honestly, other chairmen should take a cue from Alhaji OBE for posterity sake! More grease to your elbow sir!
It is in his blood to be doing good. He is God sent to Ejigbo. Free Gce, free jamb, activation of dead Roads etc. I think he really knows what the people want. He came to change the face of Ejigbo by releasing the complete dividends of democracy. Obe ni jo
Obe bello chairman ejigbo lcda is a man of vision,he has turn around ejigbo face within his shortest time.please let vote for him once more.
Impressive score card, that’s chairman of the people.
Our chairman, Alhaji Monsuru Oloyede Bello (OBE) is an exceptional and successful leader, a man chosen by God for the people, filled with kindness and perfect ideas. His ways favoured by God and will always move from one level of success to another. OBE LE KAN SI.
The best LG chairman in Lagos State,one good turn, deserves another.
The chairman of Ejigbo LCDA is a visionary leader. He is ingenious and insightful. He understands the grassroot and speaks its language. He does not mix his onion with his garlic. He certainly deserves another term.
Please falana down to omiyale,Iyana Ejigbo inwards Orilowo Ejigbo Last bus stop,towards Moshalashi,then Oja towards pipeline, towards Killer bus stop,oluwole street is no more motorable,we have so many bad roads around these areas,jimoh oke,Olanrewaju street,koto filling down to korobo,it’s just so much,I wonder if all this places are part of Ejigbo .please let people speak up so our chiarman can do something about some of these roads if not all,we know he is an hardworking man of integrity.