Kehinde Adeleye
In a decisive move to enhance public safety and eliminate criminal activities, especially at night, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Chairman Otunba Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede has begun installing motion detector solar lights in key locations identified as “black spots” within the council area.
This initiative was a direct response to a key resolution made during an emergency stakeholders’ meeting held at the council secretariat on Monday 29th July 2024, which aimed to ensure the protection of lives and properties of Oshodi residents in light of the proposed protest and to eliminate any potential negative outcomes.
In a press statement released on Wednesday 31 July by the council chairman’s media office, Otunba Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede stated that upon the completion of the electrification project across all wards in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, the residents and visitors to Oshodi would benefit from enhanced safety and security.
He emphasized that the installation of motion detector solar lights in the previously unilluminated areas, commonly referred to as “black spots,” would significantly reduce the ability of criminal elements to operate in darkness, thus curbing their nefarious activities and ultimately improving the overall safety and security of the area.
The press statement further disclosed that the electrification project would be carried out in collaboration with the Community Development Committee (CDC) and Community Development Associations (CDAs) within the council area.
According to Otunba Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede, the partnership with these grassroots organizations would facilitate the identification of “black spots” in their respective communities where criminal activities often occur and where innocent passersby are frequently harassed and robbed in the dark. This partnership aims to ensure that the project effectively targets the most critical areas in need of illumination, maximizing its impact on public safety.
The council chairman used the avenue to reiterates that his administration will continue to prioritize the safety of people while urging the people, particularly CDC and CDAs, to own the project and meticulously monitor them to ensure they are not destroyed by the hoodlums.
He said; “in furtherance to our determination to safeguard the lives and properties of our people, we have began the light up of black spots areas within our council area with solar lights. This exercise is to put a permanent stop to the activities of hoodlums who often carried out criminal activities at night.”
“We have engaged our CDC and CDAs to, in addition to the areas we had identified, give us areas within their community that are prone to such nefarious activities.
“Upon completion, I charge our people, particularly the community leaders, to own the project and ensure they are not damaged or stolen by the hoodlums whose activities would have been curtailed by the presence of light.”
Oloyede appreciates the massive supports given to him by the residents, while promising to always work for them. He equally urged the youth to dialogue rather than protest, stressing that it is like a burning fire, one may know the beginning but can never determine the end.”
