Can you tell the people about yourself?
My name is Chief Mrs Kikelomo Delano, the Executive Chairman of Ifo Local Government in Ogun State.
You have been in office for some time, how can you describe the journey so far?
Its been a great experience and I give all the glory to God.
To what extent have you been receiving support from the people so far?
The people of Ifo local government are very wonderful people,the Community Development Association and the Community Development Committees, their executives have been so supportive since we came on board.
I have received enormous support from other groups in the local government , my staffs at the council, National Union of Local Government Employers members, political associates, my political party leaders and members. I have enjoyed tremendous support from the people.
With the size of the local government, how have you been able to reach the grassroots communities like Ishasi, Okenla, Okearo, Sunre?
Well, everybody knows that Ifo local government is very wide , from Railway at Arigbajo to Okenla, to Lagos Ibadan Express way, Kara, Iseri, Okearo and other places.
I can’t be everywhere at the same time, but with the help of my team, the counselors, supervisors, advisers and consultants , it’s easy for me to reach out to those communities.
In fact, my administration has dug a borehole for the people of Okenla, and we have been able to grade roads both in Ifo Constituency 1 and Constituency 2. We have also made impact on the road leading to Isheri Olofin palace, in Isheri.
In addition, we have been able to do some work on our Fufu market in Ifo, we tarred the road in that axis with the support of the state government.
We are looking forward to repairing some shops that are in bad shape, some have fallen but we will repair and do some fresh construction .As soon as we are able to get fund, we shall start work on those projects.
We meet some of those roads in a very deplorable state; difficult to walk on it, talk less or riding bike or driving on the road.
Ifo local government is known for its closeness to Lagos state , how has it affected the development on the border communities?
Ifo is known for its size and closeness to Lagos, it is to the local government advantage and disadvantage.
Recently, Lagos banned the use of motor cycle on her major roads, unfortunately many of them moved to Ifo with their usual good and bad characters. One of them was recently arrested for rape. He came all the way from Lagos to do his transport (keke Marwa) business, and went into crime. So it’s a great challenge to us in the Local government.
Similarly, we have so many people working in Lagos and residing in our local government. They built houses, established businesses in the local government. Ifo Constituency 2 is almost Lagos and the population is like Lagos.
The advantage of this closeness will show during election because we shall have a good turnout.
What about the aspect of revenue to the local government?
We are handicapped in that, but we are trying our best just that our roads are terrible. It’s not easy to get any revenue from those axis. Most time, our Consultants are chased away any time they go there for revenue. The people will say, “ we can’t pay, our roads are bad and it’s affecting our daily lives, we can’t do business, people can’t access our communities.”
On revenue generation, it’s difficult especially in constituency 2, the roads are bad. For instance, collecting revenue for shop extension, it’s usually difficult because the shops are on the road side. The shops that are not accessible to the owners, how can they pay revenue? It’s not visible.
What are your expectations from the people as the election is fast approaching?
I will like to be positive that work will start on some of those roads before the election especially in constituency 2. The governor said it is the longest road his administration will construct, as it is from Sango to Berger and the cost is enormous.
We have been telling him that the government have to do something, and he he said he knows. Once work starts on the roads, I believe the people will reciprocate by voting for our party as we have a large population from that axis.
I expect the support of the people for this administration to deliver the dividend of democracy.