As the local government election draw near in Lagos, an aspirant for the post of chairman, Bariga Local Development Area, Senior Apostle ALABA DAVID OLATUNDE speaks on his vision to turn the area around into a model city with LANRE BABALOLA. Excerpts:
Q: Why do you aspire to lead Bariga Local Government?
A: My aspiration has to do with putting things right in Bariga. Since Bariga Local Government Development Area was carved out of Somolu, the area has suffered neglect. Infrastructure are getting rusty. Some of infrastructure provided by Prince Sesan Olanrewaju when he was chairman of the council have not been improved upon and things are in a state of disrepair. We have to move fast and arrest this decay. That is why I am seeking the chairmanship to put things right.
Q: What are the infrastructure provided by Sesan Olanrewaju that are decaying and which you want to improve upon?
A: These are roads, drainages, boreholes, maintenance of markets and provision of drugs in health centres and others. These amenities have gotten so bad because the man who succeeded Prince Olanrewaju neglected these critical areas. Most of the drainages in the area are blocked and we have to clear them into the Lagoon to stop the flooding whenever it rains.
I want to repair the community roads which are now riddled with potholes. The boreholes have to be made functional as most of them are not functioning now. Potable water has to be provided for the residents. Street lights are also not functioning in critical areas like Igi-Olugbin, St. Finbars Road, Ilaje and others. They have to be repaired and made functional.
Q: On education, what plans do you have for pupils and students in Bariga?
A: Walls in the schools have fallen apart; go to the schools, you’ll find dilapidated structures. Some of the fences of the schools have collapsed, the roofs are bad. They have to be replaced. The classrooms lack benches and tables. Pupils receive lectures while standing. Benches and tables have to be provided for teachers and pupils. The current chairman has not been able to do all these things. That is why I am seeking the position to put things in proper shape.
Q: You have talked a lot about providing infrastructure and amenities in Bariga, where do you hope to get the money?
A: There are three areas through which the councils get money. The federal grant, the internally generated revenue (IGR) is there and stabilization fund. The federal grant is basic. We are going to improve on the IGR. We are going to block all the loopholes in revenue generation and ensure we get maximum result.
Q: Let us take a look at the health centres in Somolu. There is so much congestion and people complain of lack of drugs in these centres. How do you hope to solve these problems if you become chairman?
A: You will recall that most of the centres have been taken over by the state government. In those hospitals, things are a bit better but in some local health centres in the area, we will ensure the provision of drugs, bandages, needles, maternity materials for mothers and children. I am going to provide benches for patients, nurses and doctors.
Q: Let us look at the problem of area boys in Bariga. For instance, you have a large army of these people at Igbo Igunnu.
A: (Cuts in) Not only in Igbo Igunnu but in the whole of Bariga. Touting has been their only source of income. Unfortunately, some of those you referred to as area boys are graduates, some are school certificate holders, some are diploma holders. But the state of unemployment in the country has turned them into touts. What I will do is to re-orientate them and make them useful to the local government. I will award contracts to them to make money. They will be organised into groups to perform jobs for the council.
Look, those guys are not greedy. They only need a small amount to survive. You give them something to do and they will do it wholeheartedly, to your satisfaction.
Q: Specifically, what is your vision for Bariga?
A: My vision for Bariga local government is to turn it into a model city. Bariga as at now is a slum. There are no drainages. Street lights are not functioning, there are potholes on all the roads, potable water is hard to come by. So, my vision is to turn all these things around for the better and make Bariga a model city, in line with the plan of the state government to turn Lagos into a mega city. Bariga must not be left behind.
Q: The Oba and Baales have been complaining about being neglected by council officials, how do you intend to redress this, if eventually you become the chairman of the local government?
A: There is no way we can run the councils without the support of traditional rulers and community leaders. The Chieftaincy Committee in the council will be strengthened and a separate budget will be made for Obas and Baales in Bariga. I will provide vehicles for them through the state government. There will be constant consultation with them. This is what the immediate past chairman doesn’t do. He doesn’t interact with the people. He stays in Mowe. So, he doesn’t know the problem facing the people.
Q: Do you have plans for aged people in the area?
A: We are going to identify the elderly people and give them jobs, to do for the council. An elders council will be constituted for the local government and money deducted from the projects given them to execute for the upkeep of members. They will be given an allowance. They will play advisory roles and advise me on what to do to uplift the local government.
Q: Now, the state government has embarked on a programme to beautify the state, how do you assist in this programme?
A: I will meet with the Commissioner for the Environment to identify areas in Bariga where we can also beautify, it is a laudable programme and I wholeheartedly support it.
Q: What is your assessment of the Fashola administration so far. Do you think he has performed?
A: He has performed very well. If there is no distraction, I know he is going to excel. Look at the road construction, beautification of landscapes, the state is regaining its lost glory. Lagos is returning to what it was during the colonial era.
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