Apparently not satisfied with the poor response from the Lagos State Government on the deplorable condition of infrastructure with it’s environs , residents of Irebami Unity (CDA), Ikotun have again expressed frustration over installation of optic fibre cable by telecommunication giant Airtel and others.
Residents of the community and other joint CDAs under ward A , Alimosho Local Government Area of the state ,lamented that the incessant digging of the fibre optic cables installation within it’s environs is the least priority of the citizens demand , calling on the state government to intervene and deliver statutory responsibilities of maintenance and regulation in accordance with the original infrastructure master plan of the community.
According to a statement made available to our correspondent dated 13 July 2020 and addressed to the General Manager/ CEO Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), again demanded for the contractors to submit a Clean Health Certification Report and Environmental Impact Assessment Report which in turn must be certified by the government authority to allay the fear of residents of the community.
The statement jointly signed by the Chairman Irebami Unity CDA, Prince Noah Odunsi Abiola and Kolade Yekini Olalekan , representing the Joint Community Development Area averred that the existing underground water pipes and outlets at various locations within the community are in moribund condition, which should have been the responsibilities of LASIMRA.
They also called on relevant authorities to expedite actions in fixing all the obsolete amenities in furtherance to actualise the state smart city project.
“We strongly believe that the law which established LASIMRA as an agency of the Lagos State Government and as published in the official Gazette of No 23 vol 37 on August 27th 2004, did not task you with the singular responsibility of just monitoring all activities relating to telecommunication infrastructure alone , as you laid paramount emphasis on laying of fibre optic cable in your letter sir”.
“While we are waiting patiently and engagng your agency to prevail on the Airtel and the subcontractor to correct the anomalies in their modus operandi and getting them to urgently satisfy our request to provide the two very important reports ;we witnessed with disbelieve, utmost disdain and absurdity how disgruntled individuals parading themselves as Airtel contractors invaded our community with unknown military uniformed men who came to harass ,oppress and intimidate law abiding distinguished honourable resident and officials of the CDA right in their home ,thereby causing emotional distress, psychological trauma and serious health complications to the affected individuals who were forced to succumb to their barbaric intimidation and merry display of mindless shenanigans forcing the hatchet job to continue against the wish of the CDA and joint CDA”.
The statement called on the government agency to take pragmatic approach in resolving the issue at hand , stressing the need for an investigation covering all complaints of frustrated and traumatized residents who seemingly view the undeserving situation as a complete state of hopelessness.
It urged the state government to restore hope and bring smiles to the agonising faces of people in the community adding that the reality on ground was that all the facilities remaining standing up till today are not properly maintained and regulated by the appropriate authorities and designated agencies.
The community leaders harped on the need for government to provide good drainage system and other meaningful basic infrastructure , saying since that the advent of democracy, the environment has been underdeveloped with no sign of progress recorded .
According to them, there was need to prevent any form death as a result of the existing masts in the community, pointing out that”Owing to the fact that the landlord and landlady of the host building hosting the mast base station were buried in their graves location just by the side of base of the mast .
While alleging on the death of the land owner,it noted that: “Residents are very conversant with the unhidden fact that the landlady eventually died of cancer over a long battle with the deadly disease as a result of the hazardous effect of the radiation from the mast tower location in their compound .
“So in order to avoid future occurrences of untimely and avoidable death rate in our community ,we also demanded from the project contractor to submit a clean health Certification Report certified by your agency and /or any other government health authority ,so as to allay the fears to the residents who are already apprehensive.
“The health report will indicate the health implications of the of the effect of the reinforcement of the optic fibre cables to the base station and the resultant effects of the radiation from the mast to human body,most especially the health risk challenge it will pose to endanger the lives of residence living close to the base station .
“Please note that this model of mast are concerned obsolete and not fit for higher network upgrade.”
By Roland Ekama
