I inherited 21 ongoing projects – Lagos LCDA chair

Chairman, Orile-Agege LCDA, Akinola Idowu

The Chairman of Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, Akinola Idowu, has disclosed that his administration inherited 21 ongoing infrastructure and construction projects upon assumption of office, pledging to complete them rather than abandon projects initiated with public funds.

Idowu made the disclosure at a media parley where he presented his administration’s one-year scorecard, highlighting efforts to sustain inherited projects while embarking on new interventions across education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and security.

According to the chairman, his administration’s decision to prioritise the completion of inherited projects was driven by the need to ensure accountability and prevent the waste of public resources.

“When I assumed office in July last year, I promised the good people of Orile-Agege that I would not let them down.

“Today, I am proud to say we are working hard to fulfil that promise. Our philosophy is simple: government must not just occupy offices; it must improve lives,” he said.

Speaking specifically on infrastructure, Idowu said, “When I assumed office, I inherited 21 ongoing infrastructure and construction projects. We did not abandon them. We prioritised their completion because public money must not be wasted.”

He listed road construction and rehabilitation in Egbatedo, Dada Akapo Street and Bade Abiona among the major infrastructure interventions undertaken by his administration.

At Dada Akapo Street, the council embarked on reinforced concrete drainage construction with covered slabs, alongside road works aimed at addressing perennial flooding.

Other interventions include the desilting of 12 drainage channels, construction of a primary healthcare centre on Gbadamosi Street, renovation of three existing health centres and construction of a borehole on Adebayo Johnson Street.

He added that his administration also undertook the construction of an “area office at Oyewole, an entrance arc at Olakrokun Street, rehabilitation of the INEC office at Arigbanla Street and reinforced concrete drainage construction at Ejire Lane.”

Idowu further disclosed that procurement had commenced for the rehabilitation of two other streets, with bid opening conducted on October 12, 2026.

Beyond infrastructure, the chairman highlighted interventions in education, saying the council had provided chairs, desks and learning materials to public primary schools.

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Through a partnership with Apata Humanitarian Foundation, 500 school uniforms and writing materials were distributed, while free JAMB forms and 500 GCE forms were provided to reduce the financial burden on parents.

He also disclosed that 20 beneficiaries secured international training opportunities through a partnership with a Chinese renewable energy agency.

On youth development, Idowu said a two-week free Skills Boot Camp trained participants in photography, cinematography, graphic design, drone piloting, coding, renewable energy, electric vehicle technology and AI animation.

“All these trainings were free, without fees. Outstanding participants have been offered further training in China and at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism,” he said.

On healthcare, he listed support for measles-rubella vaccination, maternal and child health services, routine immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation and deworming.

Addressing sanitation, Idowu said the council provides N2m monthly support to eight PSP operators and had procured two waste compactors.

He also announced a waiver of outstanding waste bills from January 1999 to December 2022 and a 50 per cent reduction in arrears covering January 2023 to August 2025.

In economic empowerment, he said 200 residents receive N100,000 monthly under the council’s empowerment programme, while a N12m interest-free loan facility had been introduced under the PSP scheme.

On security, the chairman disclosed that 4,000 streetlights had been provided across the LCDA, with discussions ongoing on CCTV surveillance.

Acknowledging that more work remained, Idowu said his administration would concentrate on completing ongoing projects and pursuing proposed interventions through due process.

“This parley is not just to list projects. It is to account for our decisions, explain work in progress and receive your feedback. We remain open to constructive criticism,” he told journalists.