Provision of police patrol van not our responsibility – Isolo LCDA’ Chairman

By Abolaji Adebayo and Damilola Kushimo

The authority of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA’) has declared that the provision of patrol vans to the police is not in the jurisdiction of local governments, hence, it was not it’s responsibility to provide or refurbish any police patrol van.

This followed the allegation that the local council government has neglected the only patrol van belonging to Ire-Akari Police Post in its disrepair state, slowing down the security operations of the police.

Earlier, the Divisional Police Officer, Ire-Akari Police Post, CSP Falowo, had claimed that his pleas in various fora to the newly elected LCDA chairman to help repair the only dilapidated patrol van belonging to his station fell into the deaf ears of the chairman.

Falowo revealed that he has been using his own personal vehicle for surveillance in the community, lamenting that the rate at which his division needed an up-to-the-minute van was alarming.

However, the Secretary to Isolo LCDA, Emmanuel Olojede, in a statement made available to Echonews, stated that the local government had been supporting the police in the interest of the residents of the area. He claimed that the LCDA under the leadership of Executive Chairman, Shamsudeen Olaleye, had once procured two new patrol vans to the police besides other supports rendering the police .

He said, “First and foremost, provision of patrol vans to police stations is not in the first charge of local governments. Be that as it may, we are not unmindful of our responsibility to our people as third-tier of government. We are deeply committed to ensuring safety and security of lives and property within Isolo LCDA and that was why the Executive Chairman of Isolo LCDA, Hon. Shamsudeen Abiodun Olaleye donated two patrol vans to Aswani and Okota police stations during his first term in office.

“Hon. Olaleye has plans to provide more patrol vans to other police stations within the jurisdiction of Isolo LCDA in the nearest future. Hence, we want to appeal to stakeholders to exercise patience; it is not about taking one for granted but rather it is about availability of fund, we are currently facing paucity of fund and as soon as funds are available, we shall do the needful because Hon. Olaleye is committed to ensuring our environment is safe and secured.”