The Chairman of Ibadan South East Local Government in Oyo State, Hon. Emmanuel Oluwole Alawode was a guest of Olayinka Agboola on Splash 105.5FM, Radio Show, Parrot Xtra/Ayekooto on Radio recently. During the interaction, he spoke about the effort of his administration in restoring dividends of democracy to his constituents among many salient issues… Excerpts:
How have you been surviving the heat and pressure of Oyo politics generally?
I am surviving by the grace of God and I want to thank Him for giving me enabling grace to heed to the call of serving my people. I must also appreciate the effort of our Governor who is performing exceptionally well; he has been trying his best to turn our state around for good. His good work has seen to the uplift of lives and economies of our people.
When I came on board as the Chairman, I had it in my agenda to run an inclusive government irrespective of our political differences and affiliations, and this has helped me to bring all stakeholders on board in the successful running of our administration. With this, all our differences have been settled and thanks to the understanding and unrelenting efforts of our much respected leader in the local government, Ambassador Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja.
Can you mention some of your achievements since you assumed office as the Chairman?
I will start by mentioning the construction of that popular road that led to Adeyemo lane, it was formerly a den for criminals but for the quick intervention of the governor, the road was rehabilitated and it is now passable for cars and pedestrians.
In addition, we were able to reconstruct many roads and bridges including the road leading to Ojo Oba market, Asanike area, Ojikutu, Iyana Agbogbon among many others.
Under our scholarship scheme, we give five indigent brilliant students in the local government tuition free scholarship to study at First Technical University and School of Nursing, Eleyele, Ibadan.
In the area of security, we have been able to provide mobility support to all the security agencies because of the peculiar nature of our local government area. We also equipped our non-conventional security outfits with motorcycles to aid their mobility and to support them with monthly stipends for smooth running of their operations.
We have also installed solar power lights in some of the areas to help lighten the area and reduce the activities of criminals operating in the dark. Before now, the issue of insecurity was a major concern in our local government but we are working round the clock to nip it in the bud.
We even called a meeting of the representatives of the youths in the area and dialogued with them on how the issue of insecurity can be efficiently tackled in our local government. In my capacity as the chairman, we have rendered assistance to some of them in the area of furthering their education and learning of trade.
Furthermore, we organized a poverty alleviation scheme to support indigent artisans, farmers and market women across the length and breadth of the local government.
Can you state some of the peculiar challenges you have been encountering in the running of your local government?Â
We have some challenges but we have been able to bring the best out of it. We tried to turn some of our challenges to strength by re-channeling the focus of many out of schoolchildren in the area to a more positive and productive one. We engaged them to police the local government area against any form of intruders. We do this so that they can be useful to themselves and the society.
We are in collaboration with the Mogaji’s to act as watchdog of their immediate compound in order to avert any impending trouble that may want to rise within their vicinity.
Is there no plan to put in a robust urban town planning to turn around some of the abandoned buildings that have become den for criminals?
We tried to dialogue with the heads of the families that have properties in this category, each of the family heads that were affected by the issue were unwilling to let go of the property because of some cultural belief. They believe it is their enduring legacy that cannot be tampered with. They were of the opinion that some of their younger generations will transform the building on behalf of the family.
Furthermore, we have land reserved for market and trading activities around the Orita Aperin area and in consultation with the market head, we are working assiduously to put up a befitting market there. I told the developer handling the project not to overburden the market women with outrageous bills if the market is eventually completed.
Since my assumption in office, I have not collected a dime from them and I told them not to pay any money to any agent acting on behalf of the government. This is because the situation they are in now is not befitting as we are making concrete plans to erect a good market place for them.
What of the market at Scout Camp, Molete?
Concerning the market at Scout camp, the government has done considerably well to make the place more comfortable yet our people are still reluctant. They prefer to trade by the roadside than moving to the market at Scout camp. The compassionate and human feelings of our governor towards the masses has not made him take any actions that will hurt their feelings but I believe with continuous dialogue with the stakeholders, they will understand the importance and usefulness of the market.
Through the magnanimity of the governor, the electricity bill of the market was cleared and he even provided a transformer within the place for the benefit of the people. Even the local government provided a standby security outfit for the welfare of the people and there is no tenable excuse for people who are still engaging in roadside trading around the place. The governor has done well and we will continue to implore them to comply with the directive of the government.
What is the plan of the local government in the area of security towards the forth-coming Egungun festival?
Recently, we held a security stakeholders’ meeting and the issue was discussed at length. We told them the importance of maintaining peace and orderliness and I am sure the security agencies are up to the task to perform their duty. Plans are ongoing that the peace we are enjoying now is not disrupted.
Can you shed more light on how Governor Seyi Makinde has been supporting your local government and ALGON?
The governor has done very well and has been supportive of local government administration in the state. I recently had the privilege of meeting with him recently and he has assured us that his second term in office will be far better than the first one.
During his first term in office, people did not believe that he could perform to expectation but he surpassed it and I am sure that the people of Oyo state can now hold him by his word. I am very confident that he will fulfill his campaign promise to the electorates.
What other word of message do you have for your people?
I run an open door policy and we are committed and focused on building on the legacy of our amiable governor. I implore all the people of the state to support the government of Engr Seyi Makinde. The government has performed creditably well and workers in the state cannot forget the magnanimity of the governor during his first term in office.
