Residents of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA and surrounding areas in Lagos state will soon see relief as the authority has plans to deploy 200 electric vehicles in the first quarter of this year.
The deployment of these vehicles is meant to help residents cope with the high cost of transportation following the removal of fuel subsidy.
During a briefing with the media on the council’s plans for 2024 at the headquarters in Obalende, chairman Mr. Fuad Atanda Lawal stated that the vehicles will also serve as an empowerment to the beneficiaries, with a significant multiplier effect.
Explaining the rationale behind the electric vehicles, the council boss noted that part of the aim was to ensure that those in charge make more than a thirty thousand naira minimum wage on a monthly basis.
He also disclosed that Cowry cards were distributed for free to members of staff and residents to use on BRT and Ferry services.
The Ikoyi-Obalende boss said he initiated the Food Bank that distributes free food items to residents monthly long before the federal government’s food palliatives were implemented. He believes that the initiative, which is more permanent in nature, has been embraced by residents and has benefited several thousand people.
Fuad Atanda Lawal assured residents of the council that policies and programs lined up in this fiscal year in Works, Education, Health, social welfare, Security, and Transportation will have a positive impact on their lives.
Highlighting some of the planned infrastructural development, the council boss promised that Probyn Road off Bourdilon-Lateef Jakande and Ipeu Road will be fixed, with work to be completed on 1km Ije dolphin Road. Other roads for repair are Maitama Sule off Awolowo Road.
Following the completion of work on Oluwa road, Fuad Atanda Lawal disclosed that all the gutters on Baiyeku off Awolowo Road have been desilted in anticipation of the rainy season.
In the area of Education, Army Children school Obalende and Doddan Barracks have benefitted from different interventions from the council.
The council boss noted that plans have been concluded to build a new primary Health Centre on Ije-Dolphin road to address common health challenges of the people and reduce unnecessary rush to the General Hospitals.
He assured that the five doctors that will work at the center will receive a living wage, adding there is a need for a reward system to prevent the doctors from leaving.
Apart from the operation lit up Obalende which has returned night life to the area, Fuad Atanda Lawal disclosed that 85% of roads have also undergone repair in the area.
As a means of encouraging new businesses in a residential area like Obalende, one year Tax relief was introduced as incentives for such businesses to grow before doing the needful.
Towards addressing the challenge of inadequate hygienic water in the area, he said that Boreholes were sunk at strategic locations for the benefit of residents.
Fuad Atanda Lawal said that since charity begins at home, empowerment for staff also comes regularly to alleviate their sufferings.
He attributed the reduction in crime rate in Obalende and surrounding areas to strong collaboration with security agencies through timely provision of necessary equipment.
The council boss who came into office in 2017 vowed to leave a lasting legacy by the time his tenure ends next year.
