A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Taiwo Kolawole, has appealed to residents of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency to embrace a strong maintenance culture in order to preserve public infrastructure.
Kolawole, who represented the constituency between 2019 and 2023, made the appeal on Thursday during an inspection tour of projects executed during his tenure.
The former lawmaker, who also served several terms in the Lagos State House of Assembly, led journalists to schools, healthcare centres, empowerment facilities and road projects across the constituency.
He said the tour followed reports of neglect, underutilisation and vandalism of some facilities meant to improve residents’ living conditions.
“These projects were delivered to support education, healthcare, youth empowerment and community development.
“It is painful to hear that some of them are being neglected or vandalised instead of being properly used,” Kolawole said.
He expressed concern over the condition of a primary healthcare centre which he said he partly funded with personal resources to improve access to medical services in the area.
“I personally supported the establishment of this health centre because the people needed quality healthcare.
“It was fully equipped and handed over, yet we are now hearing stories of neglect,” he said.
Kolawole also inspected education projects, including six classroom blocks and an ICT centre at Cardoso School, as well as an 18-classroom block at Ibafon Primary School.
“These investments were meant to improve learning conditions and prepare our children for the digital future,” he said.
Projects executed during his tenure include the construction of Adeolu Street in Ajegunle, empowerment of 520 indigent residents, distribution of cars and ‘Korope’ mini buses, health interventions, solar street lights across several locations, and poultry and fishery empowerment programmes.
Kolawole dismissed claims that he failed to perform in office as mischievous, noting that he served four terms in the Lagos State House of Assembly and one term in the House of Representatives.
He said several empowerment initiatives for youths and women were organised regularly alongside road rehabilitation and community development efforts.
According to him, the sustainability of development projects depends largely on community ownership and proper maintenance.
“Building projects is only the beginning; without maintenance and protection by the community, these investments will not last,” he said.
He urged community leaders and residents to promote accountability and preserve public assets for long-term benefit.
“These projects belong to the people. Protecting them is protecting our future,” Kolawole added.
Reacting, a community leader, Chief Gani Balogun, commended Kolawole for the projects executed in the area but appealed for intervention on a damaged mega borehole serving residents of Baba Sala Street in Oke-Oja Community.
“We appreciate what he did for us while he was in office, especially in education and healthcare.
“But we are appealing to him to help look into the mega borehole on Baba Sala Street because it serves many households and is currently in bad condition,” Balogun said.
Also speaking, the Iyalode of the community, Alhaja Sidikatu Dakodoun, praised Kolawole for rehabilitating the road leading to her residence.
“The road used to be very bad before he intervened.
“Today, vehicles can move freely, and the community is better for it,” she said.
Some projects inspected but yet to be completed include a youth and women empowerment centre and the construction of Oluwa Primary School, among others.
