By Peter Dansu The Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Mr Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren, popularly known as RIKAY, has h...
By Peter Dansu
The Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Mr Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren, popularly known as RIKAY, has highlighted his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, economic empowerment and community development in his first year in office.
Yemaren disclosed this on Thursday during a media parley at the council secretariat, where he reviewed the administration’s performance and announced the appointment of 300 Senior and Junior Special Assistants.
Speaking during the event, the chairman said the appointments were intended to strengthen grassroots participation, improve communication between the government and residents, and support the implementation of council programmes across the five wards.
He, however, stressed that the appointees must demonstrate accountability, accessibility and commitment to public service, noting that the positions came with responsibilities rather than personal recognition.
On infrastructure, Yemaren said his administration had graded and sand-filled 60 inner roads across the five wards to improve accessibility and ease movement within communities.
He also disclosed that grading and sand-filling work was ongoing on the Owode-Apa Road, while construction continued on the Gedu Phase I Road, including reinforced culvert and drainage components. He noted that although the Gedu project was included in the Lagos State Government’s 114 Roads initiative, the council was funding the project.
According to him, procurement procedures for the Wesere Road project were progressing, while interventions had been carried out on the Gbaji International Link Bridge, including the removal of accumulated sand and repairs to damaged edges.
In education, the chairman listed the distribution of school materials across the council’s eight public primary schools, free GCE and JAMB assistance, tutorials, holiday coaching and computer-based test training at two centres among the initiatives introduced to support pupils and students.
He said the bursary screening exercise for eligible students had been completed, with payments expected to commence after the necessary administrative arrangements.
Yemaren also reported the complete renovation of Methodist Primary School, Sawa, alongside the construction and painting of its perimeter fence, which features educational illustrations. He added that construction of a perimeter fence at Local Authority Primary School, Apa, was about 80 per cent complete.
The chairman further highlighted the ongoing construction of a modern CBT centre at Ganyingbo Topa by Selovian International Ltd. The facility, designed to accommodate 504 candidates, includes an examination hall, administrative offices, a dedicated powerhouse, disability-friendly access, a security post and parking space.
On healthcare, Yemaren said the council had supported medical equipment interventions, vaccination exercises, polio eradication campaigns and medical outreach programmes.
He also announced the completion of a solar-powered borehole at Akoko and disclosed that construction was advancing on a modern primary healthcare facility at Asheri. The planned facility includes a ward, pharmacy section, doctors’ residence and other supporting infrastructure.
The administration, he added, had distributed empowerment equipment, including motorcycles, grinding machines, deep freezers, sewing machines, industrial sewing machines, plumbing tools and cobbler equipment, to support small businesses and vocational activities.
He also said 100 women had benefited from a foodstuff business empowerment programme valued at approximately N100 million, covering commodities such as rice, garri and beans, alongside cash support.
According to the chairman, more than 10,000 residents had received food palliatives, while monthly cash assistance and other welfare interventions had been sustained for vulnerable households. Through the council’s women-focused initiatives, more than 2,000 sanitary pads had also been distributed to teenage girls, alongside sensitisation on menstrual hygiene, personal safety and access to opportunities.
On security, Yemaren said the council had continued engaging security agencies, traditional institutions and community-based security groups to strengthen cooperation and maintain peace across the border communities.
He disclosed that the council supported the renovation of the police post at Asakpo, Suntan Beach, and provided security-related items to complement community-level efforts. He also said discussions were ongoing towards establishing a joint task force arrangement in collaboration with relevant authorities.
In youth development, culture and tourism, the chairman highlighted support for youth organisations, sporting activities and cultural programmes, including Isese Day celebrations. He said the council was also pursuing heritage preservation and tourism development initiatives, including plans to restore and promote the historic cannon guns at Fanuvi.
Yemaren acknowledged that the council faced competing demands and resource limitations but maintained that projects were being prioritised according to community needs, available resources and established administrative and procurement procedures.
Looking ahead, he identified plans for a modern one-storey classroom building around the Seme axis and a new ultra-modern council administrative building among the administration’s priorities for the next phase.
He said consultations with residents and landowners were ongoing regarding the proposed classroom project, while the council would continue working towards completing ongoing projects, improving infrastructure and expanding opportunities for residents.
The chairman reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accountable governance, prudent management of public resources and inclusive development, urging the newly appointed aides and other council functionaries to work towards improving service delivery across Badagry West.
No comments