By Bilesanmi Abayomi
After 11 years, the Taiwo street, Ojota Area of Kosofe Local government, Lagos construction award has yet to be completed.
The project was awarded during the administration of the Council’s erstwhile Chairman, Hon. Ademuyiwa Adedeji.
Adedeji’s administration witnessed massive road construction, completing the first phase of Taiwo Street and the construction of a drainage system before leaving office in 2011.
“Government, we are told, is a continuum. However, Ademuyiwa’s successors have proven otherwise over a decade that government is no longer a continuum as they separately failed to complete the road project for the social and economic betterment of the community.”
The immediate past Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Sofola, Ademuyiwa’s successor, allegedly completely abandoned the second phase, which comprises of a mixture of sand and gravel, compaction by the help of a steam roller machine, and asphalt spreading, respectively.
The calls and messages sent to Sofola’s over two weeks were not replied to.
I only awarded the drainage alone – Ex- chairman
The former Chairman of the Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos, Hon. (Barr.) Ademuyiwa Adedeji, has stated that he was only awarded two street drainage projects while in office.
He made this known last week when he contacted over 11 years of abandoned road projects.
He said, “We awarded the drainage project with the intention of constructing the road immediately after the completion of the drainage, but unfortunately, the contractor delivered the drainage behind schedule even though it took the intervention of the state government via ministries of local government when Honorable Rotimi Agunsoye was in-charge and economic planning since the approval for payment has to be routed through them.”
According to him, “The contractor delivered a few months before the completion of his tenure . So, he was unable to award the road construction.”
He said, “It was so painful every time I see the road or I pass through the road because I was unable to complete a legacy project that could have enhanced the Binukonu Market. I reconstructed then.”
He reiterated that he had only awarded the drainage alone.
“But government is continuous. I expected my successors to have completed it. Because drainage is the most expensive aspect of any construction,” Prince Ademuyiwa stated.
Taiwo submitted to Governor Sanwoolu- Ogunlewe
The current Chairman of Kosofe LG, Hon. (Barr.) Moyosore Ogunlewe, while responding to the Kosofe Post, stated that Taiwo Street has since been submitted to the Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, of Lagos State for completion.
“It has been submitted to the governor for construction. We will commence soon on the road,” he said.
Many community leaders, residents, and business owners who spoke with KP stated that the road is in poor condition and has caused untold hardship for the people, as most economic and social activities in the area have come to a halt as a result of the road’s condition.
Mr. Azeez Nurudeen, a resident, called on the state government and appropriate authorities to rescue them and fix the road.
