Isolo LCDA, CHI Industry to repair Ajao Estate Roads ahead of Governor’s visit
Isolo LCDA, CHI Industry to repair Ajao Estate Roads ahead of Governor’s visit
By Abolaji Adebayo
The poor state of road infrastructure in Ajao Estate dominated discussion when the Executive Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Shamsudeen Abiodun Olaleye paid a strategic visit to CHI Industty, one of the leading food and drink manufacturing companies in Nigeria during the week.
While speaking, the council boss acknowledged the cordial relationship between the two organisations, noting that Isolo residents and the council administration have been feeling the presence of the company within the locality.
“We have had it so good with your company, especially in the area of Corporate Social Responsibity (CSR) and this demands that we relate with each other cordially,” he stated.
Olaleye informed his hosts that the need to prepare adequately well for the impending governor’s visit had prompted his visit to the company to find a possible way of collaborating to ensure the governor is well received.
He noted that Ajao Estate is currently facing road infrastructural challenges as most of the link roads are in bad state, a situation which usually paves way for perennial traffic gridlock in the community.
He added that Ajao Estate being a bye-pass to Ejigbo and other neighbouring communities via Canoe Bridge has prompted high volume of both vehicular and pedestrian presence which has advertently thrown up a lot of commercial and economic activities in the area, a clear indication that road infrastructure in the area must be given priority attention by all stakeholders.
According to him, the road network from Eleganza Junction down to Chivita Avenue and other link roads are in poor state.
He explained that the council had spent huge sums of money to desilt the drains and drainages before the start of the rains to ensure free flow of downpour, adding that they have since discovered that a lot still need to be done in terms of road rehabilitation.
“We cannot do it alone because the road is long-stretched and with the governor’s visit expected in a short while, we have found it expedient to approach public-spirited companies like yours to partner with the council to repair these roads before the governor arrives. The governor and his convoy would pass through these roads and we want to ensure he has a smooth ride to and from Oba Shekoni Street when he visits. Besides, we are sure that quick rehabilitation of these roads would also impact positively on your operations.”
Gov. Ambode during his visit to Isolo LCDA is expected to commission the newly constructed Oba Shekoni Street situated within the Chivita axis alongside other projects like school buses, customized school bags, maternity packs and bursary awards listed by the council for commissioning.
Responding, the Group Executive Director of CHI Industry, Mr. I.O. Shogbon thanked the council boss for the visit, stressing that the visit would further cement the relationship with both organizations.
According to the company’s helmsman, CHI has done a lot in terms of CSR which has endeared the company to the general public and the host community even as he expects government to offer tax reliefs in this regards.
Shogbon also corroborated the council boss on the state of disrepair of the roads adding that the company has had reasons to initiate meetings with the Bureau of Public Works on the poor state of the roads but to no avail.
He, however, expressed the company’s readiness to partner with the council to ensure the roads are rehabilitated within the shortest possible time.
This according to him is premised on the approval for the road repair granted by the headquarters of the company in America.
“Your visit is quite coincidental. We are extremely concerned about the bad state of these roads, we have brought it to the attention of the authorities at both the Ministry of Works and Bureau of Public Works but we have not gotten any positive feedback.
“But just this morning, we have received approval for the repair of the roads from our headquarters in America. Hence, partnering with you in this regards is a done deal. The contractor has been contracted and I assure you, they would move to site soonest,” he disclosed much to the excitement of the council boss and his team.
Thereafter, it was agreed by both parties that the council would see to the maintenance of law and order for the duration of the repair work. To this end, the council boss promised to liaise with the LASTMA Head of Operations in Isolo Division to ensure smooth control of traffic in and around Chivita axis.
For this exemplary show of corporate social responsibity, Olaleye thanked the management of the company for proving once again to be partners in progress in the collective strive to put the council area in a high pedestal among the comity of local governments and LCDAs in terms of infrastructural development.
