LG Direct Allocation: Residents demand more projects

By Edith Igbokwe, Damilola Kushimo and Olushola Okewole

With the implementation of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit’s recommendation to pay federal allocation to local governments directly which started in June 2019, more funds is now available to fund the lofty dreams of providing for the masses in the budgets of the local governments

As a result, local governments now have not less than 30 percent jumbo rise in allocations to fund their various projects.

Following the implementation of the policy, the residents of Oshodi, Isolo and Ejogbo have enlarged their demands from their various local governments as they expect more in terms projects implementations.

In various interactions with the citizens across the local government areas, the residents didn’t only want rehabilitation of some common infrastructures which they were used to, they demanded new projects in various sectors that would benefit the lot of the communities.

Besides infrastructure, they also demanded empowerments schemes for different categories of the people in the communities. For instance, most of the elderly people who spoke with ECHONEWS demanded provision of good healthcare.

They said more attention should be given to public Primary Healthcare Centres in Oshodi, equip them with good facilities and drugs and more capable doctors and nurses to care for the sick people.

From the artisans, their demand is based on power to aid their works. They want the LG to provide alternative power supply for them at lower rate.

According to them, the LG could create SMEs hubs at strategic locations where most artisans can converge and share government’s provided facilities such as power generator and others to facilitate their effectiveness.

Doing so, as they said, would also reduce social vices as many youths would be engaged in gainful jobs.

They added that such move would also be a support to the federal and state governments’ programmes to support SMEs at the local level.

Speaking to ECHONEWS, the Chairman of Professional Carpenter and Furniture Association (PCFA), Mr. Jacob Ajenipa required that the benefit should cover alternative electricity power supply in the areas in Oshodi where they solely depend on power supply for their businesses to thrive.

On the part of the women, their major demands bordered on provision of portable water, women empowerment and market restructuring.

Mrs. Latifat Lawal, an Oshodi resident urged the local government to make sure that Lagos state water supply is available in all communities across Oshodi-Isolo LGA.

Community leaders pointed out road rehabilitation as the most important infrastructural development any good government can give to the people as well as conducive environment for teachings and learning of their wards.

The Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC), Isolo LCDA, Alhaji Fatai Abisiga said: “We want more of palliative measures done on roads that are in the purview of the local government. Also, we have the hope that this relative pay rise will enable the local government to pay our yearly subventions, we are being owed for almost a decade now. We have lofty hope that this relative financial autonomy will enable the local government pay us as and when due. We want palpable development in all areas of the community.”

The Chairperson of National Association of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists (NASHCO),  Isolo LCDA Chapter, Deaconess Oyewunmi Oyewole, said: “We want empowerment in all manners for our members, such that will expose hairdressers and cosmetologists to latest techniques as regards our craft. The local governments have been trying for us but we want more of such programmes that will fortify hairdressers with latest approach related to the crafts.”

Here are the other demands by some of the leaders in the communities, markets and organisations.

Mrs. Victoria Osayomi, Market Leader, Iyana Ejigbo Market: “I want the local government to concentrate more on roads; when the roads are good every other things fall in place. Road is the major infrastructure we need, when that is duly done, it will solve a lot of problems in the community. Also, the clearing of Iyana Ejigbo drainage to Ori-Oke-Cele-Egbe canal should be given attention to solve the flooding issue on the road which hinders people from accessing the roads when it’s flooded.”

Mr. Samson Ogunbameru, Secretary, Ogbere Ward: “I will want the local government to focus on environment, a suitable environment is needed at this point in time where there is flood everywhere and if the government will look into this it will solve a lot of issue in the community. And after that of the environment, then education and health should be focused on.”

Babajide Ogunmefun, Youth Leader, APC Ejigbo: “As far as Ejigbo is concerned, the two years of Hon. Monsuru Obe has been very good. The major challenge in Ejigbo is flood and traffic. The traffic officials should be more managed to make for effective traffic control and ease traffic jam on our roads.

“Also, I want the youths to be empowered, empowerment should be put in place, artisans should be empowered with the necessary tools needed, hairdressers, tailors, and those in business should be assisted to raise their work.

“If the youths are empowered, the parents would be relieved. After the youths have learned any trade, the government should look into empowering them on yearly basis.”

Mr. Osasu Kingsley, Chairman, Omoboja CDA Ejigbo: “The government should work more on roads and security. If we have that, we are okay.”

Mrs. Olugbode Bunmi, an Entrepreneur: “The roads should be taken care of especially the Falana-Omiyale road needs to be given attention to make it link to Idimu Liasu Road.”

Chief Babatunde Yaya, Chairman, Fayemi Area CDA: “The road should be worked on. Roads should be constructed and potholes should be filled. Also, drainages should be put in good order knowing the season we are in now when rain is still much at its peak, so we need good roads and drainage system.”

Meanwhile, the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Chairman, Hon. Bolaji Muse Ariyoh has said that the opportunity is an avenue for the local government to double up efforts in good governance to the people, promising the residents to expect more in terms of infrastructural development.