12 hours ago
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Residents of the Totooba Great Estate Community Development Area in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State have decried the absence of basic amenities such as electricity, good roads and access to healthcare facilities that could enhance their quality of life.
The residents who spoke with PUNCH Metro in separate interviews on Monday lamented that the community has suffered neglect for several years without intervention from the local and state governments.
The community association Chairman, Joshua Akindele, noted that the epileptic electricity supply has grounded businesses and hampered trade on goods and services.
He added that the bad state of the community road has subjected the community to erosion, especially during the rainy season.
The CDA chairman noted that the community resorted to self-help to manage the hardship occasioned by the lack of amenities.
Akindele said, “The issue of electricity in our community is a major concern. The only transformer serving our area has been overloaded due to its use by multiple communities. This has left us with an inadequate power supply, which hampers businesses and makes life uncomfortable for residents.
“As a community, we have taken the initiative to construct gutters and drainages to manage water flow and prevent erosion. However, our efforts are incomplete without good roads.
“We urgently call on the government and kind-hearted Nigerians to assist us in tarring these roads so that the gutters we have built can take proper shape and serve their intended purpose. Good roads will not only improve the lives of our people but also facilitate business and social interactions.”
Also, the Vice-chairman of the community association, Oloruntoba Tobby, noted that the community had been denied access to quality and affordable healthcare due to the absence of a government-owned health facility within the community.
He lamented that the only health facility accessible to the community is located at a far distance, thereby putting residents at risk.
“The nearest health centre to our community is too far to meet the immediate medical needs of our residents and those in surrounding areas.
“We are appealing for the establishment of a health centre within our community to ensure timely and accessible medical care for our people,” Tobby said.
Both Akindele and Tobby appealed to the local and state governments to look into the plight of the residents by providing them with a Primary Healthcare Centre, a 500KVA transformer and an accessible road system.
Reacting to the plights of the community in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, the Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government Area, Wasiu Adesina, urged the residents to liaise with the government by paying their taxes.
He also stated that there is ongoing construction on the major link Road to the community while stressing that the government acknowledged the importance of access to basic amenities.
“If the community is along the Gberigbe Road, they should be aware that the state government has commenced the construction of the link road.
“It is their right to have access to basic amenities but they should also cooperate with the LG by paying all their levies. Let them come to the LG with their request and we will look into it,” Adesina said
