Leaders of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagelu Local Government, political aspirants, traditional leaders, state market leaders and local market operators were excited yesterday as the lawmaker representing Lagelu state constituency at the Oyo state House of Assembly, Honourable Akintunde Olajide Emmanuel commissioned twenty units stall of shops at Kajola market in Lalupon.
The event according to the lawmaker, was in continuation of his avowed commitment to ensuring that the local economy is bolstered through provision of a more conducive commercial environment for the people of the area being one of the major markets in the local government that is specially operated every five market days.
Speaking with journalists shortly after commissioning the newly constructed stalls yesterday, March 25, AKT as he is popularly known disclosed that more is to come in the coming week as exercise books, desks have also been provided and ready to be handed over to the selected public schools in the constituency.
It would be recalled that the lawmaker as part of his constituency commitment recently commissioned newly constructed fully powered borehole water and modern toilets at Olounda market and the Maternity Centre in the area in order to put an end to indiscriminate defecation and lack of access to hygienic water.
The PDP Whip of the 9th Oyo Assembly comprising all 26 lawmakers on the platform of the ruling party who also doubles as the Chairman, House Committee on Labour Productivity and Pension, spoke in both English and Yoruba Languages and expressed his passion for Lagelu which he described in local parlance as ‘baba Ibadan’ (father of Ibadan) being the progenitor of Ibadanland.
Hon. Akintunde who appreciated the state Governor, Seyi Makinde for maintaining a healthy and robust relationship with the legislative arm explained that even though the primary duty of a lawmaker is to make laws for the state and also perform its oversight duties, it is also obligatory on him to fulfill his electoral promises to his people who have kept faith in him by overwhelmingly entrusting him with their mandate in the legislative chambers.
The internal revenue of the local government according to the lawmaker who officially handed over the shops to the Executive Chairman of the Local Government, will also be improved upon as beneficiaries of the shops are now expected to pay revenue charges. The revenue collected will in turn enable the council authority to embark on other developmental projects which will have direct positive impact on all residents in the constituency.
“Before I say anything I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Executive Governor of Oyo state for his style of and and approach to governance which has greatly improved the standard of living and wellbeing of every resident in the state especially in terms of household finances and quality of life of our people. It is this reason that we have been able to move this far at this pace in term of physical development.
“It is my sincere believe that this project we are commissioning today will directly impact positively on the economic development and growth of Lagelu Local Government and the state as a whole. We also believe it will enhance the life and household economy of every beneficiaries.” Hon. Akintunde stated.
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of the Local Government, Honourable Gbadamosi Kazeem eulogized the lawmaker who he said is not only representing Lagelu exceptionally well at the legislative chambers but also representing PDP well by always providing social amenities that have direct positive impacts on the people of Lagelu.
Hon. Gbadamosi who hinted on the state lawmaker’s Federal House of Representatives ambition to the excitement of the crowd described the move as a welcome development saying a man who has performed creditably well in an initial position of trust deserves a bigger responsibility to enable him do more, which he prayed God to bring to reality.
Traditional Rulers who spoke at the event include the Elejioku of Ejioku, the Onilalupon of Lalupon, Alagugu of Agugu, and other notable traditional leaders across Lagelu Local Government. They described the gesture by the lawmaker as an economically sensitive one which will improve on the commerce of Lagelu as a whole.
The traditional rulers who berated past lawmakers from the local government for what they described as paying lipservice and making fake promises to the numerous yearnings of the people at the grassroots renewed the assurances of their continuous support for Hon. Akintunde and urged the lawmaker to remain focus on his good characters which has continued to endear him to his people.
PDP leaders who spoke during the event while commending Governor Seyi Makinde for setting a good example for others holding elective and appointment offices with his style of and approach to governance described Hon. Akintunde as a worthy ambassador of the party and local government urging the people to replicate their love for Makinde and all PDP candidates at the forthcoming 2023 general elections by voting for the ruling party in the state.
Others present at the event include all the elected 14 ward Councilors, PDP leaders in Lagelu, local government and ward party executives. Religious leaders present include the Chief Imam and CAN President of Lalupon Area. Others are the state executive members of Market Men and Women Association led by the Babaloja General of Oyo state, Alhaji YK Abass and Alhaji Ismaila Aderemi Jimoh, the Babaloja and Iyaloja of Lalupon as well as the Chairman of Macadof Group of Hotels, Engr Remi.
