Hi-Tech Construction Company, the contractor for the construction of Igbogbo – Bola Ahmed – Oke Afa-Gintin-Ijede road, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, held a meeting with stakeholders in Igbogbo to discuss ways of facilitating smooth and conducive working environment for the company, when they move to site to commence work.
The meeting, which was held at the Adeboruwa Palace in Igbogbo, had the attendance of Oba Semiudeen Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, traditional chiefs, Baales and residents of Igbogbo Community as well as representatives of the construction company, who included Mr Ashton Davies, Project Manager, Mr. George, General Foreman and Barrister Tosin Ogunleye, Legal Adviser to Hi-Tech on the project.
While addressing the gathering, Mr. Ashton Davies stated that they had visited to seek the cooperation and support of the community and also discuss ways of facilitating a conducive working environment for their men and machinery as they are eager to move to site very soon. He revealed that they are ready to deliver the road within the two year stipulated period but that they would need the maximum supports of the residents and other areas affected by the road to be able to meet up with the deadline.
Mr. Davies informed the stakeholders that they have identified some inner roads which are going to be used to divert traffic away from the main road to prevent disturbance and disruption of construction works, adding that these roads would be rehabilitated to make them motorable for motorists and other road users.
He also urged Oba Kasali and other leaders of Igbogbo community to appeal to the residents, particularly owners of the demolished buildings, to stop removing rubbles from the demolition points, stating that the rubbles would be used to fill uneven portions of the road to the required level for construction.
Mr. Davies, while reacting to the demand that compensation should be paid to owners of demolished houses before work started on the road, explained that it is not the contractor’s duty but that of the Lagos State Government.
He, however, promised that the management may intervene in appealing to the government on behalf of the people. He further clarified that the state government was responsible for the demolition and not their company, adding that they only provided equipment and paid the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning for the demolition. On whether the road would be as wide as the right of way, he explained that the extent of the demolition and right of way was determined by the length of the pedestrian bridges to be constructed, adding that the right of way would not determine the width of the road.
Engr. Dawodu Gbolamiga John, Council Engineer, Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, in his own contribution, urged the construction company to laise with the stakeholders in the community to ensure that only roads that would be convenient for the people are rehabilitated for diversion of traffic. He also charged the management of Hi-Tech to discharge their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the people of Igbogbo by employing professional Engineers, Artisans and youths in the community for the construction works.
While corroborating Engr. John’s statement, Chief Monzor Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun, charged the company to ensure that Igbogbo Community benefited from the construction works by giving the residents jobs, which according to him, would serve as a soothing balm for the suffering inflicted on them by the demolition. He equally warned the management of the company to ensure that they deal with the right people for any arrangement they have for the community.
The Otunba of Igbogbo, High Chief Ayobami Lanre Obayomi, while responding on behalf of Oba Kasali, traditional chiefs and the entire Igbogbo residents, made it clear that the community is not in any way holding the construction company responsible for the demolition or compensation for the affected residents but that they are only interested in early commencement of work and completion of the road. He promised the Hi-Tech representatives of maximum security and safety of their workers and machinery while also assuring that the youths of the community are responsible and well behaved. He urged the company not to hesitate in reporting any erring youth or unpleasant development to the traditional leaders when the need arises.
Also, High Chief Tajudeen Onasanya, Odofin of Igbogbo, in his own brief contribution, appealed to the management of Hi-Tech to ensure that the Kabiyesi, his Chiefs and other stakeholders are carried along in their plans so that they can convey them to the residents appropriately.
However, the Legal Adviser to Hi-Teach Construction Company on the project, Barrister Tosin Ogunleye, while responding to the requests of the community, said the meeting was an impromptu one; hence, the delegation would not be able to provide answers to all the questions and observations raised but promised that the team would make presentation to the company’s management and would give them feedback on their next visit.
Meanwhile, Oba Kasali, in his response, commended Hi-Tech for the visit and wished them hitch-free construction work on the road. He wondered why work has not started on the road despite the demolition of houses to create right of ways, stating that the delay is giving room for the apprehension caused by the demolition to persist. Oba Kasali urged the company to move to site as soon as possible to douse the tension in the community while equally reassuring the residents that the state government is committed to delivering the road in good time.