GROUP CARPETS LAGOS LG OVER BAD ROADS, INSECURITY

Members of the Ilupeju Women Association and some residents on Tuesday staged a protest to the Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area over what they described as the indifference of the council to the deplorable state of roads, drainages and insecurity in the area.

The protest, led by the President of the association, Mrs. Wuraola Akintobi, was part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the group. The protesters were received by the Secretary to the Local Government, Miss Kehinde Babalola, on behalf of the council chairman.

Akintobi said they were disappointed with the non-performance of the council which was supposed to be the closest to people at the grassroots.

She added that residents of Ilupeju estate continued to pay all manner of levies imposed by the council without commensurate social amenities like good roads and drainages.

According to her, people in the area do not know the people who claim to be representing them.

Akintobi said, ''We are ashamed and annoyed with the local government. We have abstract representatives and we do not know what they do. We want a change and if we do not see that change, we will not hesitate to take our case to the state government.''

In a letter to the local government, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the association stated that its aim was to make the estate a paradise; one where cleanliness would be the watchword.

It further noted that when it was founded 40 years ago, the estate measured up to standard, stressing that it had now turned into a slum by roadside traders and artisans.

Part of the letter read, ''We will like you to look into it so that it can return to its old beauty. We are really concerned as an association in charge of the community.''

Some of the members, also expressed their displeasure with what they termed the 'pitiable sight the area was turning into.

In her response, Babalola promised to ensure that their complaints got to the appropriate quarters. She also said there was a limit to what the council could do because it had limited powers.