One of the ways through which government can make members of the community see public facilities as theirs is by involving them in the development of such facilities. This is, therefore, what the partnership between some communities in Oyo State and the state government, through the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), has achieved. Adewale Oshodi writes.FOR a long time, residents of Idiyan community in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State lacked potable water. Their only way of getting clean water was going to a stream nearby very early in the morning before the water got polluted by other people who did different things at the stream, from washing, to bathing.However, the problem of lack of water is a thing of the past now, with the community coming together to tackle the problem headlong. Idiyan, which has about seven sub-communities, can now boast of potable water as a result of the motorised borehole put in place to serve the people.This, definitely, would not have been possible without communal spirit, which made the people of Idiyan to identify their needs, and went ahead to solve it. However, apart from communal spirit, credit must also go to the Oyo State government, which is supporting the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), which came to the aid of Idiyan people, partnering with them towards ensuring that the projects were well executed.It is, however, not only Idiyan community that has benefited from this partnership with the CSDA; other communities across the state can now boast of facilities which have impacted positively on the lives of residents.For example, residents of Katangua community in Ogbomoso North Local Government used to travel to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital before they could access healthcare. The hospital from Katangua is about 10km and there were instances whereby pregnant women had been delivered in cars before they could get to the hospital. It was as a result of this that made residents embark on a community health centre, and seeing the seriousness of the community, the CSDA came to their aid as well.The joy of residents of both communities knows no bounds, with the chairman of Idiyan Community Project Monitoring Committee, Mr Wahab Idowu, revealing that residents now hardly fall sick, unlike when they used the water from the stream.'All the seven sub-communities in Idiyan now have one motorised borehole each, and apart from the borehole, the community, also with the support of the CSDA and the Ibarapa North Local Government, was able to construct a bridge, while also building a primary school', Mr Idowu said, revealing that most residents earlier made their children to live with relatives in town, so they could go to school.Also, the secretary of Katangua Community Project Monitoring Committee, Mr Muraina Kilani, revealed that apart from the healthcare centre, the community also embarked on electricity and road projects.Other areas in which the CSDA and local governments partnered with communities include Iwagba, also in Ogbomoso North LG. Iwagba community was able to acquire a transformer, while also sinking two motorised boreholes. Also, the Blind Centre community healthcare centre, Ogbomoso, is still under construction, while road rehabilitation is the other project the community is embarking upon.In Oyo, the CSDA, in partnership with the Atiba Local Government, was able to assist Irewumi community in completing its primary school at Onire-Are-Ago in Ashipa village. The one block of three classrooms, with the headteacher's office, is serving over 25 villages in the area. Before the construction of the building, some pupils studied in a mud classroom with thatched roofings, while others studied under the tree. Apart from this school building, the community was also able to construct a market, as well as four motorised boreholes.At Onikoko village, a primary healthcare centre was constructed, and it now serves about 10 villages, while members of Idiroko community came together to build a community hall, while a healthcare centre is still under construction.In Ibarapa East Local Government Area, the Ilado community still has a healthcare centre under construction, as well as eight motorised boreholes, which the Chairman of the local government, Hon. Yunus Olanrewaju Olaosegba, promised would soon be completed.Also, at New Eruwa, the community was able to finish the construction of 44 units of open market stalls, four motorised boreholes and a civic centre, but for residents of Oke Oba community, education is much more important to them, and that was why they chose a block of three classrooms with two offices and a store and toilet at L.A School 1 and another block of three classrooms at Methodist School, Oke Oba. The community's drilling of four motorised boreholes is still ongoing.At Saki West Local Government Area, Ajebandele and Eko Kan communities also brought their people together, and with the support of CSDA and the local government, they were able to bring to an end the challenges they had been facing for a while, with the completion of different projects like healthcare centres, school buildings, borehole projects, among others.One positive thing about this partnership, however, is the fact that members of these communities see the projects as theirs, and therefore, go the extra mile in protecting them. Most have even come up with a communal savings programme, with the money to be used whenever any of these projects need to be repaired or reconstructed.Babanla Bridge: The government has done well - ResidentsBy Taiwo OlanrewajuTHE residents of Ona-Ara Local Government, Ibadan have commended the government of Oyo State, led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the Ona-Ara Local Government under the leadership of Hon Olukayode Bola Fawole for a job well done, especially concerning ongoing construction work on Babanla Bridge.Elder Samuel Olasupo Ojedeji of Ogbere said the present government did well and that he would appreciate it if it continued in that trend, 'the governor listens to people and solves problems,' he added.Ojedeji, a retiree of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan also commended the efforts of the construction company handling the bridge, Jem & Jerab Nigeria Limited, saying although the construction work was initially slow, the speed had become impressive, adding that the residents would enjoy the use of the bridge when completed.Corroborating him, Madam Olayide Iyanda commended the state government for making good its promise of reconstructing the damaged bridge, adding that she did not vote in the last election but because of the feat performed by the government, she would vote for it during another election.Iyanda, who is the community representative for Egbeda and Ona-Ara Local Government councils, commended the chief executive and staff of Jem & Jerab Nigeria Ltd. for the qualitative had done.In a chat with the Nigerian Tribune, the chief executive of Jem & Jerab Nig. Ltd., Mr Julius Adams, said the flag-off ceremony of the construction work was done by Governor Ajimobi on the 26th March, 2012 while work commenced on 1st April with the plan to complete the bridge in six months that is in October 2012.Adams, who said the job was being done to specification, said the rain had slowed down the pace of the work because once it rained, construction work would stop for two days to allow the level of water to abate.The pace of work has also been affected by lack of space and a yard to work in as Adams disclosed that area boys also had a field day disturbing the workers at will while the weather had not been completely clement.He, however, appreciated the Baale of the community, Madam Iyanda and especially the local government chairman, Honourable Fawole, for their efforts at ensuring that the work went on smoothly.'Most importantly, I wish to appreciate Governor Ajimobi for the trust he has in my company, we shall deliver and especially the local government chairman and his team for their foresight in erecting a new pedestrian bridge for the use of the residents,' Adams added.The engineer also explained that he had been involved in the construction of bridges as a senior staff of a major construction company in town, citing bridges between Igbeti and Ogbomoso and Ofiki in Oyo State as examples.The local government chairman, Honourable Olukayode Fawole told the Nigerian Tribune that his administration constructed the pedestrian bridge to ameliorate the sufferings of the people in the local government and so that they would not be cut off from the city.Fawole, who described the bridge under construction as one that would last for a long time, said the state government, which was noted for quality jobs, did a lot of research before embarking on the project at this time.The chairman, who had built roads, especially the diversion road at NEPA area of Olorunsogo and the roundabout at Oritamerin area, blocks of classrooms, empowered youths, women and staff in the council area, promised to make the people's welfare his priority.
Click here to read full news..
